Blockonomi

TLDR:
World Liberty Financial failed to move Justin Sun’s lawsuit into private arbitration proceedings.
Sun alleges WLFI’s smart contract has a hidden backdoor to freeze or burn token holdings at will.
USD1 stablecoin reportedly shares the same freeze and burn controls Sun alleges exist in WLFI tokens.
Sun questions whether World Liberty holds enough capital to cover a judgment worth hundreds of millions.
World Liberty Financial faced a setback in California federal court after a judge ruled that Justin Sun’s individual claims against the project will stay in open court.
The ruling rejects World Liberty’s push to move the dispute into private arbitration and seal case documents. Sun, an early investor in the project, called the decision a major win for transparency.
Court Sides With Sun on Open Proceedings
The California federal court decision addressed World Liberty’s request to force Sun’s claims into confidential arbitration. Sun’s legal team argued the case belongs in public view, and the judge agreed.
World Liberty also asked the court to send company-related claims to arbitration. The judge did not fully grant that request. Instead, the parties were ordered to determine which claims stay in court.
Sun described the outcome as evidence that token holders deserve visibility into how projects treat their investors.
He said World Liberty would not fight so hard to avoid scrutiny if its conduct were defensible. Sun has positioned the ruling as a step toward accountability in the dispute.
Today, my counsel appeared in California federal court to oppose World Liberty Financial's @worldlibertyfi efforts to force our dispute into secret arbitration proceedings and seal documents from public view.
We argued forcefully that this case belongs in open court—and the…
— H.E. Justin Sun (@justinsuntron) August 20, 2026
Sun was among World Liberty Financial’s earliest and largest backers, investing $45 million in WLFI tokens. He has said that investment helped push the project’s token sale past $550 million. His lawsuit against World Liberty seeks hundreds of millions of dollars in damages.
Backdoor Allegations Center on Token Control
Sun’s complaint alleges World Liberty built hidden backdoor controls into the WLFI smart contract. Those controls reportedly let the team freeze, restrict, or burn any holder’s tokens without notice. Sun claims World Liberty used this power against his own token holdings.
He also alleges he faced threats of criminal referrals after trying to assert his legal rights. Following the filing, Sun obtained a court order blocking World Liberty from destroying his tokens. He said the order was necessary given the alleged threats and technical capability to act on them.
Sun further claims World Liberty built the same backdoor functions into its USD1 stablecoin. He urged USD1 users to understand that their assets could reportedly be frozen or destroyed. He pointed to the alleged treatment of WLFI holders as a warning sign for stablecoin users.
Sun said he is not the only person who believes they were harmed by World Liberty. He noted others have privately described similar concerns but remain hesitant to file suit. He attributed that hesitation to fear of retaliation, which he said the complaint documents.
Financial Stability and Leadership Questions Raised
Sun raised concerns about whether World Liberty has enough capital to cover a judgment. He noted USD1’s reported $4 billion market cap represents user collateral, not company funds. That collateral cannot legally be used to satisfy a court judgment, he said.
Public reports cited in the discussion state World Liberty deposited roughly five billion WLFI tokens as collateral. The deposit reportedly went to Dolomite, a lending platform co-founded by World Liberty’s own chief technology officer. Analysts have compared the circular borrowing structure to leverage patterns seen at FTX.
Sun also referenced World Liberty co-founder Chase Herro’s earlier project, Dough Finance. That platform claimed a hack occurred, but an investor lawsuit alleged Herro personally moved the funds. Public reporting indicates most of those assets remain unaccounted for.
Sun said the combination of factors raises doubts about World Liberty’s ability to meet its obligations. He cited his own damages claim, potential claims from others, and the borrowing structure. Sun encouraged investors to conduct independent research before engaging further with the project.
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TLDR:
Binance Agent OS unites APIs, the Wallet Agentic Hub, Binance x402, and Skill Hub in one toolkit
Binance MCP Server lets AI apps like Claude and ChatGPT trade without managing local API keys
Trading scopes cover Spot, Margin, Convert, and Futures markets inside an isolated sub-account
Binance MCP Server blocks withdrawals to outside addresses, keeping funds inside the sub-account
Binance Launches Binance Agent OS and Binance MCP Server, a new pairing built for AI-driven trading. The platform combines Binance APIs, the Wallet Agentic Hub, Binance x402, and Skill Hub. Binance Agent OS adds Model Context Protocol support, while the MCP Server acts as its connection layer.
Compatible applications such as Claude, Claude Code, Codex, ChatGPT, and VS Code can access Binance liquidity directly. Developers no longer need to manage API keys locally on their own systems.
Binance Agent OS Combines Developer Tools Into One Platform
Binance Agent OS was built as part of Binance Intelligence, the company said on August 20, 2026. The platform aims to reduce fragmentation across separate agentic crypto integrations. Developers previously had to build one-off connections for each supported application, adding time and cost.
The system includes several components working together under one umbrella. Binance APIs offer programmatic access to supported trading, market, and wallet features.
The Wallet Agentic Hub adds capabilities designed specifically for agent-driven interactions. All actions remain subject to permissions set directly by the user at every step.
Binance x402 provides payment and settlement primitives built for agent-driven payment flows. The Skill Hub lets developers discover modular capabilities across several categories. These span market data, wallet management, trading functions, and on-chain activity tracking for supported networks.
Binance framed the launch as infrastructure for the next phase of agentic experiences. In its announcement, Binance said future agents “will search, coordinate, transact, and act” on behalf of users.
Binance has already released agentic features across separate products and repositories over time. Agent OS now brings that earlier work together into one coherent toolkit for builders.
Binance MCP Server Gives AI Applications Direct Market Access
Binance Launches Binance Agent OS and Binance MCP Server as a linked pair for developers. The MCP Server standardizes how AI applications connect to supported exchange tools.
It gives compatible programs a way to reach Binance liquidity and tools without local key management. Developers can reach the server directly through the endpoint agent.binance.com/mcp/agentic.
Once authorized, users can grant agents scopes covering several distinct functions. Market data access includes tickers, order books, candlesticks, and funding rates. This category requires no authentication and remains open to any connected application at any time.
Authorized agents can also check balances tied to a dedicated Agentic sub-account. This covers positions and billing history within that isolated account structure. Users may optionally enable a read-only view of their main account balance too.
Trading access covers Spot, Margin, Convert, USDⓈ-M Futures, and COIN-M Futures markets. Available functions depend on the scopes granted and account eligibility for each product.
Binance confirmed the MCP Server does not support withdrawals to outside addresses. Fund transfers stay inside the isolated Agentic sub-account, kept separate from the main trading account.
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TLDR
Broadcom shares rise as AI debt talks target more than $60 billion in funding.
Anthropic could gain major computing capacity from Broadcom-backed funding.
Blackstone and Apollo may join the financing after their June infrastructure deal.
The full financing package could reach $100 billion with junior debt added.
Broadcom could benefit from stronger demand for chips and data-center gear.
Broadcom (AVGO) rose 0.43% to $364.03, then gained 0.20% to $364.77 after hours. The move followed reports that Broadcom is discussing more than $60 billion in debt financing. The proposed funding would support Anthropic and other companies expanding large-scale computing infrastructure.
Broadcom Inc., AVGO
Broadcom Discusses Major AI Infrastructure Financing
Broadcom is negotiating with lenders over a financing package tied to advanced chip infrastructure projects. The proposed structure could include senior secured debt ranging between $60 billion and $70 billion. Broadcom could guarantee part of that senior portion under the financing arrangement.
The discussions also include a junior debt tranche worth about $30 billion. Therefore, the complete financing package could eventually reach as much as $100 billion. However, the companies involved have not announced final financing terms or confirmed an agreement.
A special-purpose vehicle would reportedly issue the debt and direct funding toward computing infrastructure. That structure could limit direct project ownership while providing significant capital for new hardware deployments. Broadcom would benefit through stronger demand for its chips, networking products, and supporting data-center equipment.
Anthropic Expansion Drives Infrastructure Demand
Anthropic could become one of the main beneficiaries of the proposed Broadcom financing arrangement. The company requires increasing computing capacity as it expands its Claude platform and related services. Consequently, new infrastructure spending could support larger deployments and broader access to computing resources.
Large technology companies now require more processing capacity for increasingly complex workloads and applications. Therefore, chip suppliers are pursuing larger partnerships with cloud providers, data-center operators, and financing groups. Broadcom has positioned its semiconductor business to capture part of this expanding infrastructure spending.
The company also competes with Nvidia across several parts of the advanced computing hardware market. Broadcom supplies custom chips, networking equipment, switches, and other products used inside large data centers. Additional financing could help customers deploy these systems without carrying the entire upfront infrastructure cost.
Blackstone and Apollo Join Broadcom Financing Talks
Blackstone and Apollo Global Management are also discussing participation in the proposed financing package. Their involvement follows a partnership formed with Broadcom in June for computing infrastructure funding. That partnership provides a framework for financing expensive chip and data-center expansion projects.
The proposed transaction could resemble the group’s earlier $35 billion debt arrangement for AI infrastructure. That agreement established a model combining private capital, debt financing, and technology infrastructure commitments. Broadcom could use a similar structure to support larger deployments for Anthropic and other customers.
The talks highlight the growing capital requirements behind advanced computing infrastructure development. Building large data centers requires substantial spending on chips, networking systems, energy capacity, and supporting equipment. Broadcom could gain additional semiconductor demand if the financing advances and customers expand their computing capacity.

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TLDR
Ross Stores Q2 sales rose 13% to $6.3 billion as customer traffic strengthened.
Quarterly EPS climbed to $2.66 from $1.56, easily beating prior company guidance.
ROST surged 6.79% after hours to $244.53 following the strong earnings report.
Ross raised 2026 EPS guidance to 8.61–8.77 after a strong first-half performance.
Ross increased its 2026 store opening plan to 115 locations after strong growth.
Ross Stores shares jumped in after-hours trading after the retailer reported stronger second-quarter sales, earnings, and comparable-store growth. ROST closed 2.43% lower at $228.99 before rising 6.79% to $244.53 after the results. The company also raised its full-year earnings outlook and increased its planned store openings.
Ross Stores, Inc., ROST
Ross Stores Q2 Sales Rise 13% as Customer Traffic Strengthens
Ross Stores reported second-quarter sales of $6.3 billion, up 13% from $5.5 billion one year earlier. Comparable-store sales increased 10%, following a 2% gain during the same quarter last year. Customer traffic remained the main driver behind the stronger comparable-store performance.
Net income reached $851 million during the quarter, compared with $508 million in the previous-year period. Earnings per share climbed to $2.66 from $1.56 one year earlier. The latest figure also exceeded management’s previous guidance range of $1.85 to $1.93.
Operating profit reached $1.1 billion, helped partly by $253 million in IEEPA tariff refunds. Those refunds contributed about $0.60 per share to quarterly earnings and lifted operating margins. However, operating margin still improved 205 basis points when management excluded the tariff-related benefit.
Ross Stores Raises 2026 Earnings Guidance After Strong First Half
Ross Stores increased its fiscal 2026 earnings forecast following its strong first-half results. The company now expects full-year earnings per share between $8.61 and $8.77. That forecast includes the approximate $0.60 benefit from tariff refunds recorded during the second quarter.
For the third quarter, management expects comparable-store sales to increase between 6% and 7%. The company projects third-quarter earnings per share between $1.75 and $1.83. Ross also expects fourth-quarter comparable sales growth between 4% and 5%.
Fourth-quarter earnings per share should range from $2.17 to $2.26 under the updated outlook. Ross raised those projections despite tougher year-over-year comparisons expected during the second half. Strong traffic and improving store performance supported management’s decision to lift its expectations.
Ross Expands Store Growth Plan and Continues Share Buybacks
Ross Stores also increased its 2026 expansion plan after opening 47 locations during the second quarter. Those openings included 35 Ross Dress for Less stores and 12 dd’s DISCOUNTS locations. The company now plans to open 115 new stores during the full fiscal year.
The updated plan includes about 90 Ross Dress for Less stores and 25 dd’s DISCOUNTS locations. Management previously targeted a lower number of openings before raising the plan following recent performance. The expansion reflects continued demand across both established and newer markets.
Ross also repurchased 1.4 million shares for $319 million during the second quarter. Those purchases fall under a $2.55 billion authorization approved by the board in March 2026. The company still expects to repurchase $1.275 billion of common stock during fiscal 2026.

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TLDR
Telix H1 revenue rises 22% to $477M as adjusted EBITDA jumps 146% year over year.
Precision Medicine revenue climbs 27% as Illuccix and Gozellix drive higher sales.
Telix invests $124M in R&D while advancing prostate, kidney and brain programs.
Manufacturing revenue reaches $146M as Telix expands its global production footprint.
Telix ends June with $252M in cash after generating $23M in operating cash flow.
Telix Pharmaceuticals posted stronger first-half results as revenue and adjusted EBITDA rose sharply from the previous year. TLX stock climbed 2.48% to $12.42, recovering from a mid-morning low near $12.10. The company also advanced several cancer programs while expanding its manufacturing network and strengthening its balance sheet.
Telix Pharmaceuticals Limited, TLX
Telix Revenue Rises 22% as Margins Improve
Telix reported first-half group revenue of $477 million, representing a 22% increase from the previous year. The result tracked near the upper end of the company’s full-year revenue guidance. Telix currently expects annual revenue between $950 million and $970 million.
Group gross margin increased two percentage points to 55% during the reporting period. Precision Medicine gross margin reached 65%, gaining one percentage point from a year earlier. Higher product volumes, product mix changes, and operating efficiencies supported the margin improvement.
Adjusted EBITDA jumped 146% year over year to $52 million during the first half. The figure included a $40 million non-refundable payment linked to Telix’s Regeneron collaboration. Telix continued investing heavily, directing $124 million toward research and development programs.
Precision Medicine Drives Commercial Growth
Telix’s Precision Medicine business increased revenue by 27% from the same period last year. Illuccix and Gozellix generated higher sales volumes while expanding their positions within prostate cancer imaging. As a result, segment adjusted EBITDA increased 26% to $132 million.
At the same time, Telix advanced several regulatory programs across major international markets. The company completed enrollment for an Illuccix Phase 3 study in Japan. Chinese regulators also accepted the company’s Illuccix application and started their formal review process.
Telix also moved its brain and kidney cancer imaging products through additional regulatory milestones. The FDA assigned Pixclara a September 11, 2026, decision target date. Separately, Telix continues preparing its Zircaix application for resubmission after addressing outstanding FDA requirements.
Therapeutics Pipeline and Manufacturing Expand
Telix invested $68 million of total research spending into its therapeutics pipeline during the first half. Its ProstACT Global program met initial safety and dosimetry goals for its lead prostate cancer therapy. The FDA also cleared the program to advance into the next trial stage.
Elsewhere, the OPTIMAL-PSMA Phase 2 study completed enrollment of 120 patients with advanced prostate cancer. Telix also dosed initial patients in studies involving prostate, kidney and brain cancer therapies. These programs form part of the company’s strategy to develop revenue beyond diagnostic imaging products.
Telix Manufacturing Solutions generated $146 million in total segment revenue during the period. That figure included $89 million from external sales and services, alongside $58 million in internal revenue. However, the segment recorded a $23 million adjusted EBITDA loss following higher infrastructure and logistics investment.
The company also expanded production capacity across Australia, Belgium, Japan, and the United States. Its Seneffe facility completed its first GMP production run involving a lutetium-based therapeutic candidate. Meanwhile, Telix ended June with $252 million in cash and generated $23 million in positive operating cash flow.

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TLDR
Futu Q2 net income rises 41.6% as revenue reaches HK$7.2 billion
Trading volume jumps 78.8% to a record HK$6.42 trillion in Q2 2026
Funded accounts grow 33.6% year over year to reach 3.84 million users
Client assets climb 43.6% to HK$1.40 trillion as market activity rises
Futu expands across Asia while repurchasing about $418 million in ADSs
Futu Holdings (FUTU) shares reported stronger second-quarter results as trading activity and client assets expanded across major markets. Net income rose 41.6% year over year to HK$3.64 billion during the quarter. Meanwhile, FUTU stock climbed 2.74% to $112.42 after recovering from an early drop below $110.
Futu Holdings Limited, FUTU
Futu Holdings Profit Rises as Revenue Reaches HK$7.2 Billion
Futu generated HK$7.20 billion in total revenue during the second quarter, representing 35.6% annual growth. Brokerage commission and handling income increased 30.3% to HK$3.36 billion. Higher trading activity supported the increase despite a lower blended commission rate.
Interest income rose 36.5% from the prior year to HK$3.12 billion. Higher margin financing balances and bank deposits supported that increase during the quarter. Other income also climbed 61.2% to HK$715.8 million.
Gross profit reached HK$6.21 billion, representing a 33.9% increase from the comparable 2025 period. However, gross margin declined to 86.3% from 87.4% one year earlier. Operating income increased 33.5% to HK$4.46 billion despite higher expenses.
Trading Volume Hits Record HK$6.42 Trillion
Total trading volume increased 78.8% year over year to a record HK$6.42 trillion. U.S. stock trading accounted for HK$5.02 trillion of the quarterly total. Strong activity in semiconductor and artificial intelligence-related companies supported the U.S. market increase.
Hong Kong stock trading volume reached HK$1.17 trillion during the quarter. Trading activity benefited from semiconductor companies, internet stocks and newly listed artificial intelligence businesses. Overall trading volume also increased 54.6% from the previous quarter.
Margin financing and securities lending balances rose 85.1% annually to HK$95.1 billion. The balance also increased 30.5% from the previous quarter. Strong Hong Kong IPO activity and higher leverage use supported the expansion.
Funded Accounts and Client Assets Continue Expanding
Futu ended June with 3.84 million funded accounts, marking a 33.6% annual increase. The company added about 252,000 net new funded accounts during the quarter. Malaysia generated the strongest additions, while Hong Kong and Singapore also supported growth.
Total brokerage accounts increased 26.6% year over year to 6.64 million. Meanwhile, total users rose 15.2% to 31.3 million by June 30. The figures reflect continued expansion across Futu’s international brokerage operations.
Client assets increased 43.6% annually to HK$1.40 trillion at the quarter’s end. Wealth management assets reached HK$180.2 billion, representing 10.4% annual growth. Futu expanded its investment offerings across Hong Kong and Singapore during the period.
Futu Expands Products Across International Markets
Futu continued adding financial products as it expanded its presence outside its established markets. Moomoo launched prediction markets in the United States during June. The company also secured approval for virtual asset financing services in Hong Kong.
Futu obtained a Type A license from Thailand’s securities regulator during July. The approval positions the company to launch Moomoo Thailand and expand further across Southeast Asia. These initiatives follow earlier expansion in markets including Malaysia and Singapore.
The company also continued returning capital through its existing share repurchase program. Futu had repurchased about 3.8 million ADSs by June 30 for roughly $418 million. Diluted net income per ADS increased to HK$26.08 from HK$18.24 one year earlier.
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TLDR
Skyward Group names Taryn McHarg as CFO successor ahead of Haushill retirement.
SKWD shares fall 1.53% to $55.54 after a sharp early drop from above $57.50.
Mark Haushill will retire as Skyward Group CFO in March 2027 after over a decade.
McHarg brings senior finance experience from Apollo, BUPA and Ernst & Young.
Haushill will remain a Senior Advisor through 2027 to support the transition.
Skyward Specialty Insurance Group (SKWD) fell 1.53% to $55.54 after dropping sharply during Thursday’s morning trading. The shares later recovered part of the decline after trading above $57.50 earlier in the session. Meanwhile, Skyward Group announced a planned CFO transition that will extend through the end of 2027.
Skyward Specialty Insurance Group, Inc., SKWD
Skyward Group Names McHarg as Next CFO
Skyward Group said Chief Financial Officer Mark Haushill plans to retire from his position on March 31, 2027. Taryn McHarg, currently Apollo CFO and Skyward Group Deputy CFO, will succeed Haushill after his retirement. Therefore, the company will promote an existing executive rather than recruit an external finance chief.
McHarg has served as Apollo’s CFO for more than four years and brings extensive insurance sector experience. Before Apollo, she spent nine years at BUPA and eventually became CFO of its international markets business. Earlier, she spent seven years at Ernst & Young, strengthening her accounting and financial management background.
The appointment follows Skyward Group’s January 2026 acquisition of Apollo Group Holdings, which expanded the company’s specialty insurance operations. McHarg already holds senior finance responsibilities across the combined organization through her Deputy CFO position. As a result, Skyward expects the internal appointment to support continuity across financial planning and corporate operations.
Haushill Plans Retirement After Decade at Skyward
Haushill will retire after more than ten years with Skyward and several major changes across the company. During his tenure, Skyward completed its 2023 initial public offering and strengthened its broader capital position. He also held a central finance role during the company’s expansion and Apollo acquisition.
Skyward also improved its financial strength during the period, including progress in its AM Best financial rating. Those developments accompanied the company’s shift toward a larger and more diversified specialty insurance business. Haushill therefore leaves after overseeing several important financing, reporting, and corporate development milestones.
However, Haushill will remain involved after leaving the CFO position to support the leadership transition. He will serve as a Senior Advisor through the end of 2027 under the company’s succession plan. That arrangement gives McHarg continued access to institutional knowledge during her first months leading Skyward’s finance organization.
Skyward Builds on Apollo Integration
Skyward Group now combines Skyward Specialty and Apollo under a broader specialty insurance organization with several operating businesses. The Apollo acquisition expanded the group’s market reach and increased the importance of coordinated financial leadership. The CFO succession arrives during an important stage of the company’s integration strategy.
McHarg will inherit responsibility for financial planning as Skyward develops opportunities across the combined insurance platform. Her existing roles provide direct experience with Apollo’s finances and Skyward Group’s wider financial priorities. This background could simplify the transfer of responsibilities when Haushill formally leaves the CFO position.
Skyward described the succession structure as part of its long-term approach to executive development and corporate stability. The company has more than seven months before McHarg takes the CFO role in March 2027. Until then, Haushill and McHarg will continue working through the transition while Skyward advances its post-acquisition strategy.

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TLDR
CrowdStrike stock falls 5.53% as Fal.Con 2026 partner plans take center stage
AWS, Nvidia and OpenAI headline CrowdStrike’s record Fal.Con 2026 sponsor list
Fal.Con 2026 expects more than 10,000 attendees from 71 countries worldwide
CrowdStrike lines up over 150 sponsors for its major Las Vegas security event
Fal.Con 2026 adds over 100 digital sessions alongside its live keynote streams
CrowdStrike (CRWD) shares fell 5.53% to $190.48 as the cybersecurity company outlined plans for its Fal.Con 2026 conference. The event will feature more than 150 ecosystem sponsors, including AWS, Nvidia, OpenAI, Google Cloud, and Intel. CrowdStrike expects over 10,000 attendees from 4,000 organizations across 71 countries.
CrowdStrike Holdings, Inc., CRWD
CrowdStrike Expands Fal.Con 2026 Partner Lineup
CrowdStrike said Fal.Con 2026 will feature its largest sponsor lineup since the cybersecurity conference began. Major technology companies will support the event across several sponsorship levels and partner programs. These companies include Amazon Web Services, Dell Technologies, Horizon3, Intel, and OpenAI.
Anthropic, ExtraHop, JetStream Security, and Rubrik will participate as premier sponsors during the conference. Meanwhile, Nvidia, Google Cloud, EY US, Kroll, Mimecast, Okta, and Zscaler will join as diamond sponsors. The lineup also includes Accenture, Deloitte, Fortinet, Netskope, Vanta, and several other enterprise technology providers.
CrowdStrike has built Fal.Con around its Falcon security platform and its broader partner ecosystem. Therefore, the expanded sponsorship list shows the growing scale of its relationships across cybersecurity and cloud infrastructure. The conference will also bring consulting firms, hardware companies, software providers, and security specialists into one event.
AWS Nvidia and OpenAI Headline Major Sponsors
AWS, OpenAI, Dell Technologies, Horizon3, and Intel will serve as pinnacle sponsors at Fal.Con 2026. Nvidia will participate alongside Google Cloud and several cybersecurity companies at the diamond sponsorship level. Consequently, the event will connect CrowdStrike with several leading cloud, computing, and enterprise technology providers.
The partnership structure extends beyond headline sponsors and includes platinum, gold, silver, and pavilion participants. Platinum sponsors include Accenture, Commvault, Corelight, Deloitte, Fortinet, Netskope, Tines, and Vanta. Gold sponsors include IBM, Qualcomm, CoreWeave, Proofpoint, Cognizant, Wipro, and several security technology companies.
CrowdStrike also added smaller companies through its Innovator Pavilion and Latin America Partner Pavilion. These groups broaden the conference beyond established enterprise technology companies and major cybersecurity vendors. As a result, Fal.Con will represent a wide range of security products, infrastructure providers, and service partners.
Fal.Con 2026 Starts August 31 in Las Vegas
Fal.Con 2026 will begin August 31 with CrowdStrike’s Global Partner Summit in Las Vegas. The company will then run three days of partner sessions, presentations, and activities across the conference venue. CrowdStrike expects the event to attract more than 10,000 people from 4,000 organizations.
The company said participants will travel from 71 countries for the sold-out cybersecurity conference. Fal.Con will include sessions through its partner theatre, conference hub, and dedicated breakout programs. These sessions will focus on enterprise security, platform integration, customer deployments, and technology partnerships.
CrowdStrike will also provide a digital option for people unable to attend the Las Vegas event. Registered participants can access keynote livestreams during the conference and more than 100 sessions afterward. CrowdStrike will also stream the event’s keynote presentations through its official YouTube channel.
The conference continues CrowdStrike’s effort to expand the Falcon platform through technology and distribution partnerships. Fal.Con has grown alongside the company’s push into cloud security, identity protection, endpoint security, and enterprise security operations. Therefore, the 2026 sponsor roster highlights the scale of CrowdStrike’s broader commercial ecosystem.

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TLDR
Synopsys shares fell 1.63% to $394.68 as it unveiled a 3D PCIe 6.0 milestone.
Synopsys validated 64 GT/s PCIe 6.0 performance in a new stacked-die design.
The 3D architecture targets AI accelerators, HPC systems and major data centers.
Synopsys says the design supports higher bandwidth, lower latency and efficiency.
The milestone extends Synopsys’ PCIe expertise into advanced multi-die packaging.
Synopsys, Inc. (SNPS) shares fell 1.63% to $394.68 as the company unveiled a major 3D PCIe 6.0 milestone. The demonstration brings high-speed PCIe connectivity into stacked-die designs built for demanding computing systems. Synopsys aims to support faster AI chips, HPC platforms, storage products, and data center infrastructure.
Synopsys, Inc., SNPS
Synopsys Advances 3D PCIe 6.0 Connectivity
Synopsys demonstrated PCIe 6.0 operating at 64 GT/s within a stacked, face-to-face chip architecture. The design delivered bandwidth reaching 128 GB/s through an eight-lane configuration using PAM4 signaling. Therefore, the test moved PCIe connectivity beyond conventional two-dimensional chip layouts.
The company used a 5-nanometer PCIe 6.0 PHY adapted for three-dimensional integrated circuit technology. Synopsys built the test chip from an existing PCIe 6.0 implementation and added changes for stacked dies. Silicon testing confirmed that the technology operated successfully after packaging, startup, and measurement.
The demonstration also showed receiver performance exceeding PCIe 6.0 bit-error requirements by wide margins. Meanwhile, the architecture shortened connections between separate dies compared with traditional side-by-side packaging. This structure can support higher bandwidth, reduced latency, improved signal integrity, and greater computing density.
3D Packaging Targets AI and Data Center Systems
Modern AI processors increasingly combine specialized functions across several dies instead of relying on one large chip. As a result, chip designers need faster links between computing, memory, networking, and storage components. Synopsys positioned its latest demonstration as one option for meeting those growing connectivity demands.
The technology can support AI accelerators, high-performance processors, SmartNICs, DPUs, storage controllers, and data center switches. It can also support systems using Compute Express Link connectivity for memory and accelerator expansion. Synopsys is extending existing interface technology toward more complex multi-die platforms.
Three-dimensional packaging creates technical challenges because engineers must manage electrical behavior across stacked components. Synopsys addressed TSV placement, die interaction, inductors, signal performance, and full-stack modeling during development. The company also worked to limit unnecessary TSV additions while maintaining PCIe 6.0 performance.
Synopsys Builds on Long PCIe Development History
Synopsys has developed PCIe technologies for more than two decades across several generations of the standard. Its portfolio includes PHY technology, digital controllers, security components, verification systems, and interoperability testing tools. The company has supported about 4,000 customer tape-outs across seven PCI Express generations.
The latest project links that established PCIe portfolio with the semiconductor industry’s shift toward multi-die architectures. Synopsys combines electronic design software with interface technologies for advanced packaging and heterogeneous integration. These tools support architecture planning, package optimization, software development, system validation, and manufacturing analysis.
The milestone also strengthens Synopsys’ position within the expanding market for advanced semiconductor packaging. AI and HPC systems continue requiring greater bandwidth while power and physical space remain major design constraints. Synopsys now offers a validated PCIe 6.0 path designed specifically for emerging three-dimensional chip architectures.

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TLDR
Ripple plans to enter the tokenized private credit market through a new institutional lending system on the XRP Ledger.
RippleX is developing the lending feature with Clearpool Finance and Cicada Partners for real-world business borrowers.
Loans will use Ripple’s RLUSD stablecoin, while lending transactions will run directly on XRPL.
The system will use the XLS-65 Single Asset Vaults and XLS-66 Lending Protocol amendments.
XRP will remain necessary for transaction fees and wallet reserves, increasing its utility within the lending network.
Ripple is preparing to expand XRP Ledger into institutional private credit through a new lending system built with Clearpool Finance and Cicada Partners. The plan aims to connect XRPL with a tokenized private credit market valued at above $10 billion while giving real-world businesses access to working capital across regulated institutional lending markets.
Unlike much of DeFi lending, where funds often circulate inside crypto markets, the proposed system will focus on fintech and payment companies. Borrowers will receive loans in RLUSD, Ripple’s regulated stablecoin, while XRPL will process lending activity on-chain.
Ripple Backs Native Lending Infrastructure
RippleX developers plan to build the lending system directly into XRP Ledger through the XLS-65 Single Asset Vaults and XLS-66 Lending Protocol amendments. The design removes reliance on third-party smart contracts and places core lending functions inside XRPL’s base protocol.
https://t.co/EIfTEKoPnS
— Cicada Partners (@cicadacredit) August 20, 2026
Loan pools, issuance, repayments, and related activity will all run on XRPL. Each transaction will require XRP for network fees and wallet reserves, giving the token a direct role in the lending process as activity grows.
RLUSD Loans Target Real-World Borrowers
The lending system will use RLUSD for loans to businesses seeking working capital. The stablecoin operates under New York Department of Financial Services oversight, while Bank of New York provides custody support.
Ripple will also invest in the lending fund under the same terms as other institutions. The company will not guarantee returns, and all investors will share the same rights and risks on a pari passu basis.
Validator Vote Will Decide Mainnet Launch
Developers have added compliance tools designed for institutional use. These include digital participant identities and a Clawback feature that can return funds when required under set rules.
Clearpool is now testing end-to-end lending scenarios on XRPL Devnet. A Mainnet launch will depend on independent validators approving and activating the XLS-65 and XLS-66 amendments through the network’s amendment voting process.
The post Ripple Pushes XRPL Into Private Credit With RLUSD Lending Plan appeared first on Blockonomi.

TLDR
Bitcoin ETFs attracted more than $1 billion in fresh inflows over three days.
Bitcoin climbed to $72,659 on Thursday, gaining about 10% in 24 hours.
BlackRock’s iShares Bitcoin Trust led demand with $588.5 million in inflows since Monday.
U.S. Bitcoin ETFs received more than $500 million in investments on Wednesday alone.
President Donald Trump renewed his push for lawmakers to pass the Clarity Act.
Bitcoin ETFs attracted more than $1 billion in fresh investment over three days as Bitcoin price climbed toward $73,000. The renewed demand followed a market rebound, risk appetite, and a policy announcement from the U.S. Treasury that pushed long-term yields lower.
Bitcoin traded near $72,606 on Thursday after touching $72,659. The cryptocurrency gained about 10% over 24 hours but remained more than 40% below its October record of $126,080.
Bitcoin ETFs See Strong Buying
Investors added more than $500 million to U.S. Bitcoin ETFs on Wednesday, according to Farside Investors. Funds managed by BlackRock, Fidelity, and Grayscale received demand as Bitcoin prices moved higher during the week.
BlackRock’s iShares Bitcoin Trust led the flows. The fund received about $588.5 million from Monday through Wednesday. Other products, including Morgan Stanley’s Bitcoin Trust, also recorded active trading as investors returned to the market.
ETF demand changed direction after last week’s withdrawals. Investors removed more than $385 million from U.S. funds as tensions in the Middle East increased. Bitcoin stayed steady during that period despite the redemptions.
Trump Renews Clarity Act Push
President Donald Trump met crypto executives and financial regulators at the White House on Wednesday. Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong and Securities and Exchange Commission Chair Paul Atkins attended the meeting with other industry representatives.
Trump later called the Clarity Act a “very, very powerful” bill and urged lawmakers to approve it. The House passed the crypto market structure bill last year, but Senate talks have stalled. Lawmakers now expect further action in September.
The bill aims to create clearer rules for digital assets. It would help define when a crypto asset falls under securities, commodities, or payment stablecoin rules.
Treasury Move Supports Risk Assets
Investors also responded to the Treasury Department’s plan to more than double some government debt repurchases. The announcement pushed long-term Treasury yields lower and weakened the U.S. dollar.
Lower yields can reduce the appeal of interest-paying assets compared with Bitcoin and gold. Both assets rose after the Treasury update as investors increased exposure to risk assets.
The combination of ETF inflows, stronger Bitcoin prices, and renewed policy attention kept crypto markets active on Thursday. Traders now continue watching fund flows, Treasury yields, and progress on the Clarity Act.
The post Bitcoin ETFs Heat Up After Three Days of Heavy Buying appeared first on Blockonomi.

TLDR
Rocket Lab extends its iQPS mission streak with another successful Electron launch.
RKLB falls 3.77% even after Electron successfully deploys another iQPS satellite.
Electron completes Rocket Lab’s 14th launch of 2026 and 93rd mission overall.
Rocket Lab has nine dedicated iQPS Electron missions still booked through 2030.
iQPS expands its planned 36-satellite SAR constellation with SUSANOO-II deployment.
Rocket Lab Corporation (RKLB) shares fell 3.77% to $72.98 on Thursday, despite another successful Electron mission for Japanese customer iQPS. The launch extended Rocket Lab’s mission streak and strengthened its role in deploying commercial Earth-observation satellites. However, the stock continued its intraday decline after trading above $75 earlier in the session.
Rocket Lab USA, Inc., RKLB
Rocket Lab Completes Ninth iQPS Satellite Mission
Rocket Lab launched the QPS-SAR satellite aboard its Electron rocket from Launch Complex 1 in New Zealand. The rocket lifted off during the early hours of August 21 in New Zealand local time. Mission teams then guided the spacecraft through its planned ascent toward low Earth orbit.
Electron’s first stage completed its main burn before separating from the rocket’s second stage. The second stage continued for several minutes and later released the kick stage carrying the satellite. After a planned coast period, the kick stage completed another burn to circularize the spacecraft’s orbit.
Rocket Lab deployed the SUSANOO-II satellite about 50 minutes after liftoff at approximately 575 kilometers altitude. The successful mission marked Rocket Lab’s ninth dedicated satellite deployment for Tokyo-based iQPS. Each of those nine missions has successfully placed its assigned QPS-SAR spacecraft into orbit.
iQPS Expands Radar Imaging Constellation
iQPS is developing a planned constellation of 36 synthetic aperture radar satellites in low Earth orbit. These satellites can capture detailed Earth imagery during daylight, darkness, and periods of heavy cloud cover. The technology supports frequent imaging for commercial, government, disaster-response, and infrastructure applications.
SUSANOO-II became another component of the company’s expanding radar imaging network following earlier Rocket Lab missions. Rocket Lab also launched another iQPS spacecraft on August 6 from the same New Zealand launch facility. That schedule highlights the growing launch cadence behind iQPS’s planned constellation development.
Rocket Lab still holds nine dedicated Electron missions for iQPS under its existing launch schedule. Those future missions will support further constellation deployment through 2030 under the current arrangement. The backlog also provides Rocket Lab with recurring launch activity from an established commercial customer.
Electron Launch Cadence Reaches New Milestone
The latest flight became Rocket Lab’s 14th launch during 2026 and its 93rd Electron mission overall. Electron remains the company’s primary launch vehicle for dedicated small-satellite missions and specialized orbital deployments. Rocket Lab also operates HASTE, an Electron-based vehicle designed for suborbital and hypersonic testing missions.
Electron uses nine Rutherford engines on its first stage and targets smaller payloads requiring dedicated launch schedules. This model allows customers to select specific deployment timelines and orbital destinations without depending on larger rideshare missions. Japanese satellite operators have become recurring customers as they expand Earth-observation networks.
Thursday’s share decline came even as Rocket Lab completed the mission without reporting operational problems. The successful deployment added another flight to Electron’s expanding commercial mission record during 2026. Rocket Lab now moves forward with additional booked launches while maintaining its growing relationship with iQPS.

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TLDR
Franklin Templeton received SEC staff relief to let eligible funds invest in its blockchain-based OnChain U.S. Government Money Fund.
The tokenized fund could support cash management and securities lending collateral within traditional investment portfolios.
Franklin Templeton said the structure could eventually bring tokenized assets into ETFs and mutual funds.
The OnChain Fund uses Stellar as its main public blockchain, while Franklin Templeton Investor Services keeps the official ownership record.
The fund offers features such as hourly NAV calculations, intraday trading, and faster transaction processing.
Franklin Templeton is preparing to place tokenized assets inside traditional investment funds after receiving SEC staff relief. The move allows certain Franklin funds to invest in shares of the Franklin OnChain U.S. Government Money Fund under stated conditions. That opens a new route for regulated portfolios.
The SEC Division of Investment Management issued the no-action letter on August 12. Staff said it would not recommend enforcement action if Franklin Templeton Investor Services acts as custodian for eligible fund investments.
Franklin Templeton Gains New Cash Management Option
The relief gives Franklin funds another way to manage cash and securities lending collateral. Franklin said its tokenized money market fund could later serve ETFs and mutual funds, bringing blockchain-based fund shares into standard portfolios.
Each fund board must approve the arrangement before use. Franklin said some portfolios could begin using the OnChain Fund in the fourth quarter, depending on those approvals and each fund’s needs.
The OnChain Fund uses blockchain networks to record transactions and anonymous shareholder data. Franklin Templeton Investor Services keeps the official ownership record, while Stellar currently serves as the fund’s main public blockchain.
Franklin said the setup supports hourly net asset value calculations, intraday trading and faster transaction processing. The firm also expects the structure to help funds manage liquidity more closely while reducing operational costs over time.
SEC Relief Comes With Clear Limits
The SEC made clear that the letter reflects only a staff enforcement position. It does not represent formal Commission approval, and it does not provide a legal finding on the structure.
Sandy Kaul, Franklin Templeton’s head of digital assets and innovation, said the firm wants funds to manage cash more precisely, earn more yield and hold less unused liquidity. Franklin also plans more tokenized products for possible use as cash or collateral.
Franklin launched the OnChain U.S. Government Money Fund in 2021. Its BENJI token represents fund shares, and the product became the first U.S.-registered money market fund to use a public blockchain as its official recordkeeping system.
The broader BENJI product suite held $1.98 billion in assets under management as of April 29. Franklin’s next step will depend on fund board approvals and how quickly portfolio teams adopt the tokenized structure.
The post Franklin Templeton Eyes ETFs for Tokenized Money Market Fund appeared first on Blockonomi.

TLDR
Moderna shares plunged 24.56% despite positive Phase III melanoma trial results.
Jefferies models $54 billion in global peak sales for Moderna’s cancer therapy.
The melanoma study met recurrence-free and distant metastasis-free endpoints.
Jefferies raised Moderna’s price target to $170 and upgraded shares to Neutral.
Upcoming detailed trial data could shape confidence in Moderna’s oncology pipeline.
Moderna (MRNA) shares dropped sharply despite positive melanoma trial results that strengthened the company’s cancer pipeline outlook. The stock fell 24.56% to $131.55 after trading above $160 earlier in the session. Meanwhile, Jefferies raised its valuation expectations for Moderna’s personalized cancer therapy program.
Moderna, Inc., MRNA
Moderna Melanoma Trial Strengthens Oncology Pipeline
Moderna reported positive Phase III results for intismeran vipatamotide, also known as mRNA-4157, in patients with melanoma. The company developed the individualized neoantigen therapy with Merck for use alongside Keytruda. Consequently, the successful study added clinical support to Moderna’s broader cancer strategy.
The INTerpath-001 trial included 1,137 patients with Stage IIB through Stage IV melanoma after complete surgical removal. Researchers assigned patients in a two-to-one ratio between the combination therapy and Keytruda alone. Both groups received treatment for approximately one year under the study design.
The combination achieved statistical significance on the primary endpoint measuring recurrence-free survival at the first planned interim analysis. It also met the important secondary endpoint measuring distant metastasis-free survival among treated patients. Therefore, the results strengthened evidence supporting the therapy’s potential use after melanoma surgery.
Jefferies Models $54 Billion in Global Peak Sales
Jefferies now estimates $54 billion in unadjusted global peak sales for intismeran across several potential cancer indications. The firm based its model on stronger assumptions for market share, treatment pricing, and approval probability. Moderna would share the therapy’s economics equally with Merck under their existing collaboration.
For melanoma, Jefferies assumes a 60% peak market share and an 85% probability of successful commercialization. The model also uses an estimated treatment price of $260,000 for the individualized cancer therapy. Additionally, the firm increased expected market share in renal cell carcinoma and non-small cell lung cancer.
Merck currently reimburses the therapy’s cost of goods sold while sharing commercial economics equally with Moderna. That structure limits part of Moderna’s manufacturing burden while preserving exposure to future cancer therapy revenue. As a result, successful expansion into more tumors could strengthen Moderna’s revenue mix beyond infectious diseases.
Moderna Stock Faces New Data Test
Jefferies expects the Phase III recurrence-free survival hazard ratio to remain below 0.80 when detailed results become available. A result below 0.70 could provide stronger support for the therapy’s clinical benefit over Keytruda alone. The Phase IIb trial previously reported a hazard ratio of 0.561 after two years.
The firm expects additional data could appear at a major medical meeting, potentially ESMO in late October. Those results will provide more detail about recurrence rates, treatment durability, and outcomes across patient groups. However, weaker supporting details could reduce enthusiasm surrounding the Phase III headline result.
Jefferies upgraded Moderna to Neutral and raised its price target to $170 following the melanoma trial success. The firm cited stronger visibility into Moderna’s effort to diversify beyond its COVID-related vaccine business. Still, commercial adoption and the quality of upcoming clinical data remain important factors for the oncology program.

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TLDR
XRPL is considering XLS-66, a lending standard for fixed-term loans funded through pooled assets.
The proposal would rely on XLS-65 Single Asset Vaults, where depositors receive shares representing their pool ownership.
Loan brokers would manage lending pools, set fees, approve loans, and determine first-loss capital requirements.
Credit checks and borrower assessment would remain off-chain rather than using automatic collateral liquidations.
Brokers could post first-loss capital to reduce depositor losses if borrowers default.
The XRP Ledger (XRPL) is reviewing a lending standard that could allow pooled assets to fund fixed-term loans on XRPL. The draft, XLS-66, would use XLS-65 Single Asset Vaults to collect assets from depositors and issue shares that represent their stake in each pool.
A loan broker would create and manage the pool, approve loans, set fees, and define first-loss capital. The structure could support XRP, issuer-backed assets or Multi-Purpose Tokens, while access could remain public or restricted.
XRPL Vaults Would Hold Pooled Lending Assets
Under XLS-65, depositors would place one asset into a vault and receive shares based on their contribution. Those shares would show ownership, but they would not guarantee immediate access to cash once the pool funds loans.
Each pool would need withdrawal rules. Terms could explain whether requests enter a queue, whether lending limits apply, and how much liquid capital remains available while loans stay open.
XLS-66 would allow a broker and borrower to create a loan with principal, interest rate, payment schedule, maturity date and grace period. The loan record would track unpaid principal and interest on the ledger.
The system would support late-interest rules, origination fees, and early repayment charges. If a borrower misses payments beyond the grace period, the broker could mark the loan as impaired or defaulted.
Credit Checks Would Remain Off-Chain
The proposal focuses on uncollateralized lending and does not add automatic collateral sales or forced liquidations. Brokers would assess borrowers outside XRP Ledger using financial records, legal agreements, guarantees, trading history, or other credit checks.
This approach gives brokers a central role in risk control. Depositors would need information on borrower standards, concentration limits, legal terms and the broker’s lending process before allocating assets to a pool.
XLS-66 would let brokers post first-loss capital to absorb part of a default. The value of that protection would depend on the size of the reserve compared with outstanding loans.
The proposal remains a draft and depends on XLS-65 and XLS-64. Adoption would require approved standards, active brokers, borrowers, and clear pool terms. Evernorth has explored XRP-related DeFi opportunities, but no primary material reviewed identifies an Evernorth-run lending pool.
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Key Takeaways
Shares of AAP plunged 16% during premarket hours to $46.92 following disappointing Q2 comparable store sales results
Adjusted earnings per share of $1.03 surpassed analyst expectations of $0.81, while net revenue of $2B fell short of the $2.04B consensus
Comparable store sales declined 0.5% versus Wall Street’s anticipated 1.4% increase
CEO Shane O’Kelly cited constrained consumer budgets impacting the do-it-yourself segment, particularly during the quarter’s final month
Annual adjusted earnings outlook increased to a range of $2.60-$3.30 from the previous $2.40-$3.10 projection
Shares of Advance Auto Parts (AAP) tumbled 16% to $46.92 during Thursday’s premarket session following the automotive aftermarket retailer’s second-quarter results that showed a divergence between profitability and top-line performance.
Prior to Thursday’s trading, the stock had climbed 43% since the beginning of the year. That impressive gain evaporated quickly.
The company posted adjusted earnings of $1.03 per share for the second quarter, representing significant growth from $0.69 in the prior-year period and exceeding analyst consensus of $0.81. However, net revenue reached $2 billion, falling slightly below the Street’s $2.04 billion projection and essentially unchanged from last year’s $2.01 billion.
$AAP Advance Auto’s $1.03 beat came with a $0.31 asterisk.
The breakdown
•Adj. EPS: $1.03 vs $0.81 est $0.31 was tariff refunds.
•Net sales: $2.00B vs $2.03B est; comps -0.5%.
•Adj. op margin: 5.6% vs 3.0% LY.
•FY26 adj. EPS: raised to $2.60-$3.30 (on interest… pic.twitter.com/Q7dY2urDaC
— Invest Alpha Pro (@InvestAlphaPro) August 20, 2026
It’s important to note that tariff-related refunds boosted the adjusted earnings figure by approximately $0.31 per share, providing meaningful context to the bottom-line performance.
Comparable store sales decreased 0.5% during the quarter. Analysts had projected a 1.4% gain. This shortfall triggered the sharpest investor reaction.
Do-It-Yourself Segment Faces Headwinds
Chief Executive Shane O’Kelly attributed the underperformance to challenges in the company’s DIY business segment.
“Total enterprise sales performance was impacted by the DIY channel as tighter household budgets constrained spending more than we anticipated, especially during the last four weeks of the quarter,” he said.
O’Kelly characterized the broader demand landscape as “volatile.”
While the professional business segment delivered low-single-digit percentage gains, providing some balance, this growth proved insufficient to elevate overall comparable sales performance.
The market reaction extended across the automotive aftermarket sector. AAP‘s struggles dragged down AutoZone (AZO) by 2.2% and O’Reilly Automotive (ORLY) by 2%.
Revenue Outlook Unchanged, Profit Forecast Rises
Regarding forward-looking projections, AAP maintained its full-year net revenue guidance of $8.485 billion to $8.575 billion, anticipating comparable store sales growth of 1% to 2%.
The company elevated its annual adjusted earnings per share guidance to a range of $2.60-$3.30, up from the prior $2.40-$3.10 band. Leadership cited increased pretax interest income as the driver behind the improved profitability outlook.
Wall Street analysts have begun recalibrating their price objectives, factoring in execution challenges and the temporal disconnect between capital deployment and financial returns. Market sentiment has evolved from post-earnings optimism to a more cautious perspective regarding near-term quarterly trends.
The company operates with substantial debt levels and negative free cash flow generation, constraining its operational flexibility should revenue performance continue to lag expectations.
Advance Auto Parts currently maintains a market capitalization of roughly $3.43 billion, with typical daily share volume of approximately 1.87 million.
The post Advance Auto Parts (AAP) Shares Plunge 16% on Weak DIY Sales and Missed Revenue Targets appeared first on Blockonomi.

Key Highlights
Baidu shares climb following Apollo Go’s integration with Uber platform in Dubai.
Dubai marks the inaugural market for the Baidu-Uber autonomous vehicle collaboration.
Passengers can request Apollo Go robotaxis via UberX, Comfort, and Autonomous categories.
The partnership aims to introduce thousands of Apollo Go units worldwide.
Apollo Go’s fleet has accumulated over 350 million kilometers of autonomous travel across 28 urban areas.
Shares of Baidu (BIDU) received a boost as the company rolled out its fully autonomous Apollo Go robotaxis via Uber’s platform in Dubai. This integration provides riders with expanded options to experience self-driving transportation throughout designated zones in the emirate. Baidu stock finished the regular session up 2.20% at $92.87, then dipped slightly by 0.13% to $92.75 during pre-market trading.
Baidu, Inc., BIDU
Apollo Go Robotaxis Integrate with Uber Platform
The Apollo Go autonomous fleet is now accessible via Uber in designated zones including Umm Suqeim and Jumeirah neighborhoods. New Horizon Luxury Transport manages the vehicle operations supporting this initial rollout. Dubai represents the maiden deployment location for the Baidu-Uber autonomous mobility collaboration.
Users requesting UberX or Uber Comfort rides in eligible areas may be matched with Apollo Go robotaxis. Additionally, riders have the option to specifically choose the Autonomous category through Uber’s mobile app. These vehicles operate in fully driverless mode, eliminating the need for human safety operators.
The service area will gradually broaden as Baidu advances its deployment throughout Dubai. This launch represents a significant step in the companies’ multi-year framework agreement spanning multiple international territories. The collaboration envisions deploying thousands of Apollo Go autonomous vehicles across various global cities.
Dubai Serves as Strategic Hub for Baidu’s Global Robotaxi Ambitions
Dubai represents a crucial international foothold for Baidu’s Apollo Go autonomous mobility operations. The company initially introduced commercial driverless rides through its proprietary Apollo Go application in March 2026. As a result, passengers now enjoy dual access points—both the native Apollo Go app and Uber’s platform.
The March commercial debut followed significant regulatory achievements during Baidu’s Dubai market entry. Apollo Go secured Dubai’s inaugural permit for driverless testing without safety personnel aboard in January 2026. This authorization laid essential groundwork for subsequent commercial deployment of fully autonomous transportation.
The Uber platform integration furnishes Baidu with an additional distribution avenue for its self-driving technology. Simultaneously, Uber enhances its vehicle inventory through partnership with a proven autonomous mobility provider. This arrangement merges Baidu’s sophisticated driving software with Uber’s extensive ride-sharing infrastructure.
Apollo Go Accelerates International Footprint
The Baidu-Uber autonomous vehicle collaboration was initially unveiled in July 2025. The framework agreement envisions substantial Apollo Go fleet deployment through Uber’s network across multiple international markets. Both organizations anticipate the initiative will broaden accessibility to dependable, cost-effective transportation services.
Apollo Go currently operates across 28 metropolitan areas as Baidu continues expanding its autonomous transportation presence. The fleet has logged more than 350 million autonomous kilometers throughout existing markets. Completely driverless operations account for over 240 million kilometers of that cumulative distance.
Baidu has also highlighted impressive safety metrics from its fully autonomous operations. As of June, vehicles averaged approximately one airbag deployment per 14.4 million kilometers traveled. The Dubai launch therefore represents another significant operational territory within Baidu’s expanding global autonomous driving ecosystem.

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TLDR
Rigetti creates a new COO role to oversee operations and quantum system delivery.
David Rivas moves to COO as Rigetti expands commercial execution and deployment.
Andrew Bestwick becomes CTO and takes charge of quantum processor development.
Rigetti separates customer deployments from core quantum engineering functions.
RGTI stock falls 6.15% to $15.95 as new leadership roles reshape its strategy.
Rigetti Computing reorganized its leadership structure to support growing quantum system deployments and sharpen processor development. The company created a Chief Operating Officer role while assigning new responsibilities across engineering and commercial operations. Meanwhile, RGTI stock fell 6.15% to $15.95 after trading above $17 earlier Thursday.
Rigetti Computing, Inc., RGTI
Rigetti Computing Restructures Operations for System Deployments
Rigetti created a dedicated Systems Delivery organization as demand grows for on-premises quantum computing systems. The group will oversee system deployment, customer engineering, and operational execution. Consequently, Rigetti aims to separate delivery responsibilities from its core processor development work.
The company currently supplies systems ranging from its 9-qubit Novera platform to 108-qubit Cepheus-class systems. Previously, engineering teams also handled installation and customer support duties. However, the new structure assigns those responsibilities to dedicated operational teams.
Rigetti expects this division to support broader deployments while giving engineers more time for hardware development. The company continues working toward its published quantum technology roadmap. That roadmap includes improving the performance and reliability of its Cepheus processor architecture.
New COO Role Expands Rigetti’s Operational Leadership
Rigetti appointed David Rivas as Chief Operating Officer after he served as Chief Technology Officer since February 2023. Rivas will lead several operational, commercial, and customer-facing functions. His responsibilities now include manufacturing operations, systems delivery, software engineering, and business development.
Rivas will also oversee government programs, supply chain operations, applications, facilities, and fabrication activities. Therefore, the COO position combines several functions under one executive. Rigetti designed the structure to establish clearer responsibility across system production and customer delivery.
The changes reflect Rigetti’s shift toward supporting more customer installations alongside ongoing research and development. Increased deployment activity created greater operational requirements across the company. As a result, Rigetti separated system delivery leadership from its processor engineering organization.
New CTO Focuses on Rigetti Quantum Processor Roadmap
Rigetti appointed Andrew Bestwick as Chief Technology Officer following his role as Senior Vice President of Quantum Systems. Bestwick previously led the architecture of the company’s Cepheus-class multi-chip systems. He will now oversee quantum processor development, chip fabrication development, and hardware engineering.
The technology organization will remain Rigetti’s largest engineering group under the revised operating structure. Rigetti continues placing processor performance at the center of its development strategy. The company also targets 99.5% median two-qubit gate fidelity on its Cepheus-1-108Q system.
Both Bestwick and Rivas report directly to President and Chief Executive Officer Subodh Kulkarni. Their appointments became effective on August 18. The leadership changes align Rigetti’s commercial expansion with its longer-term quantum computing development plans.

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TLDR
The CFTC plans to advance digital asset rules without waiting for Congress to pass the CLARITY Act.
Chairman Michael Selig says the agency already has crypto market structure proposals ready for consideration.
The CFTC supports a single federal framework instead of separate crypto rules across all 50 states.
The CFTC and SEC are coordinating through Project Crypto to clarify how specific digital assets should be regulated.
The CLARITY Act passed the House in 2025 but still faces uncertainty in the Senate.
The U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) plans to advance digital asset rules without waiting for Congress. Chairman Michael Selig said the agency already has proposals ready for crypto market structure oversight. The move could shape federal rules for spot digital commodity trading while the CLARITY Act remains under Senate review.
CFTC Prepares Federal Digital Asset Rules
Selig said on August 4, 2026, that the CFTC can move ahead under its current authority. The agency has prepared proposals focused on clearer rules, market certainty, and consumer protection for digital asset activity.
He also supports one federal system instead of separate state rules. Crypto trading platforms serving users nationwide can face higher costs when each state applies different requirements. The CFTC wants a more consistent approach across the country. The agency says its proposals are ready for formal consideration.
Crypto Market Structure Work Continues
The CLARITY Act, or H.R. 3633, passed the House in 2025. The bill would make the CFTC the main federal regulator for spot digital commodity markets. However, Senate negotiations remain unfinished, including talks linked to stablecoins.
The CFTC and Securities and Exchange Commission are also working through Project Crypto. The joint effort aims to clarify how regulators classify and treat certain digital assets before any new law takes effect.
Agency Rules Have Different Legal Weight
CFTC rulemaking can provide new guidance even without the CLARITY Act. However, agency rules do not carry the same legal strength as federal legislation. Courts can review them, later administrations can reverse them, and Congress can replace them.
A federal law would provide a longer-lasting framework. For now, the CFTC plans to use its existing powers while lawmakers continue discussions over a broader crypto market structure law.
Any CFTC proposal must pass through a public notice-and-comment process. That process normally takes months because regulators must review public feedback before issuing final rules.
As a result, the agency may publish proposals soon, but full implementation will take more time. The timeline for a complete federal framework will likely stretch across several quarters rather than a few weeks.
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Key Takeaways
Net income plummeted 76% year-over-year to 10.54 billion yuan, significantly missing analyst projections of 21.8 billion yuan.
Top-line sales increased 9% to 268.95 billion yuan, marginally exceeding forecasts.
Cloud division revenue soared 45% to 48.44 billion yuan, marking the 12th consecutive quarter of triple-digit AI product revenue growth.
American Depositary Receipts declined approximately 4.5% during pre-market hours on Thursday.
Capital spending skyrocketed 75% year-over-year to 67.68 billion yuan, primarily for cloud infrastructure expansion.
Shares of Alibaba (BABA) tumbled nearly 4.5% in Thursday’s premarket session following the Chinese tech giant’s first-quarter financial results that fell short of analyst expectations.
The ADRs declined approximately 4.7% before market open, extending the stock’s year-to-date losses to around 12%.
The company reported net income of 10.54 billion yuan ($1.57 billion), representing a steep 76% decline compared to the prior-year period. Wall Street consensus anticipated earnings of 21.8 billion yuan.
ALIBABA $BABA Q1’27 EARNINGS HIGHLIGHTS
Revenue: ¥269B (Est. ¥269.3B) ; +9% YoY
Adj ADS: ¥8.52 (Est. ¥11.26) ; -42% YoY
AI revenue tripled for the 12th straight qtr
CapEx: ¥67.7B (Est. ¥29.22B) ; +75% YoY
Free Cash Flow: -¥44.7B (Est. -¥12.80B)
Segment… pic.twitter.com/f6M53PU46z
— Wall St Engine (@wallstengine) August 20, 2026
Total revenue climbed 9% to reach 268.95 billion yuan, narrowly surpassing Bloomberg’s consensus estimate of 268.52 billion yuan.
Adjusted net income decreased 38% to 20.72 billion yuan, falling short of analyst expectations of 25.58 billion yuan. Non-GAAP diluted earnings per ADS registered at 8.52 yuan, down 42% from the year-ago quarter and missing the 11.28 yuan consensus.
Cloud Division Delivers Robust Performance
Alibaba‘s cloud business emerged as the quarter’s highlight amid otherwise lackluster results. AI Cloud and Compute Services revenue surged 45% to 48.44 billion yuan, exceeding analyst estimates of 47.5 billion yuan.
Revenue from AI-related products reached 12.38 billion yuan, extending a remarkable streak of triple-digit percentage growth to twelve straight quarters.
The cloud segment’s adjusted EBITA more than doubled year-over-year, attributed to accelerating revenue expansion and enhanced operational efficiency.
“We delivered a strong quarter, driven by the improving commercialization of our full-stack AI capabilities,” CEO Eddie Wu said. “Alibaba Cloud’s external revenue growth accelerated to 45%, with AI-related product revenue delivering triple-digit growth for the twelfth consecutive quarter.”
Aggressive AI Spending Pressures Profitability
The earnings shortfall reflects Alibaba‘s aggressive investment strategy in artificial intelligence infrastructure. Capital expenditures jumped 75% year-over-year to 67.68 billion yuan.
Free cash flow reversed to a negative 44.67 billion yuan outflow, primarily due to elevated cloud infrastructure investments.
To support its AI expansion efforts, the company recently entered an agreement to divest its Lingxi Games video gaming division to Trustar Capital, a private equity firm based in Asia, for a minimum of $1.5 billion.
The e-commerce behemoth also restructured its business segments this quarter, consolidating its domestic and international commerce divisions with Freshippo into a newly formed Alibaba E-commerce Group. The Cloud Intelligence Group was merged with T-Head under the AI Cloud and Compute Services umbrella.
These quarterly results emerge amid headwinds in China’s economic environment. Retail sales growth decelerated to just 0.6% in July, while industrial production expanded 4.5%, both figures weaker than the previous month.
Current short interest in BABA represents 1.83% of outstanding shares, while the broader market benchmark has appreciated 12.6% year-to-date, contrasting sharply with BABA’s 12% decline over the same period.
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