Deepgram’s Stunning $130M Series C Fuels Voice AI Dominance and Strategic YC Acquisition

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BitcoinWorld Deepgram’s Stunning $130M Series C Fuels Voice AI Dominance and Strategic YC Acquisition In a landmark development for artificial intelligence infrastructure, Deepgram has secured a massive $130 million Series C funding round at a $1.3 billion valuation while simultaneously acquiring Y Combinator-backed startup Ofone, positioning the company at the forefront of the rapidly expanding voice AI revolution transforming enterprise operations globally. Deepgram’s Monumental Funding Round and Strategic Vision The San Francisco-based voice AI specialist announced its latest funding achievement on October 13, 2026, marking one of the most significant investments in speech technology infrastructure this year. Significantly, the round was led by AVP (Alumni Ventures Partners) with substantial participation from both existing and new investors. Consequently, this brings Deepgram’s total funding to over $215 million since its inception. Existing investors demonstrated strong continued confidence through additional investments from Alkeon, In-Q-Tel, Madrona, Tiger Global, Wing Venture Capital, and Y Combinator. Meanwhile, new strategic investors joined the round including Columbia University, Princeville Capital, Twilio, and SAP. This diverse investor base reflects growing enterprise demand for sophisticated voice AI solutions. Enterprise Voice AI Adoption Drives Investor Interest Elizabeth de Saint-Aignan, a partner at AVP, explained the investment thesis to Bitcoin World. “During 2024, we consistently heard from enterprises about their increasing adoption of voice AI technologies,” she stated. “Contact centers and sales development processes emerged as primary implementation areas. Through our research, we discovered Deepgram powered much of this infrastructure.” Saint-Aignan emphasized the dual benefits driving adoption. “Voice AI simultaneously enhances customer experience while reducing operational costs,” she noted. “Deepgram’s technology addresses both objectives effectively, making it a strategic investment for enterprise digital transformation.” The Competitive Voice AI Funding Landscape Deepgram’s funding continues a significant trend of substantial investments in voice AI infrastructure throughout 2024 and 2025. The company joins several other well-funded competitors and collaborators in this rapidly expanding market segment. Major Voice AI Funding Rounds (2024-2025) Company Round Amount Focus Area Seasame Series B $250M Enterprise voice platforms ElevenLabs Series C $180M Voice synthesis and cloning Gradium Seed $70M Educational voice applications Deepgram Series C $130M Speech recognition infrastructure This competitive funding environment reflects analyst projections for substantial market growth. Multiple industry reports anticipate the voice AI market expanding at over 30% annually, potentially reaching $14-$20 billion by 2030. Consequently, infrastructure providers like Deepgram are positioning themselves as essential components for enterprises developing voice-enabled solutions. Strategic Acquisition of YC-Backed Ofone Parallel to its funding announcement, Deepgram revealed its acquisition of Ofone, a Y Combinator-backed startup specializing in voice AI solutions for quick-service restaurants. This strategic move demonstrates Deepgram’s expansion into specific vertical applications beyond general enterprise solutions. Ofone developed a voice AI-powered ordering system claiming over 93% order accuracy. The startup addressed significant challenges in restaurant voice AI implementation, including background noise handling, diverse accents, and complex menu modifications. Deepgram CEO Scott Stephenson expressed particular excitement about this vertical application. “Food ordering represents a potential breakthrough for voice AI adoption,” Stephenson explained. “More than 300 million Americans could have their first positive voice AI experience through natural conversation ordering. Previous voice assistants often disappointed users, but ordering food through natural dialogue could demonstrate the technology’s readiness.” Restaurant Voice AI: Challenges and Opportunities The restaurant sector presents both significant challenges and substantial opportunities for voice AI implementation. Last year, Taco Bell discontinued a voice AI experiment after an incident involving an order for 18,000 water cups. However, other companies continue advancing in this space. Presto, serving brands like Carl’s Jr., recently secured $10 million in new funding. This continued investment suggests confidence in voice AI’s potential to transform restaurant operations despite implementation challenges. Key application areas include: Drive-through order automation reducing labor costs and improving accuracy In-store kiosk voice interfaces enhancing accessibility and speed Kitchen management systems using voice commands in noisy environments Multilingual customer support without additional staffing requirements Deepgram’s Technical Infrastructure and Market Position Deepgram’s technology stack centers on several core components enabling enterprise-grade voice AI applications. The company provides comprehensive solutions for organizations implementing voice interfaces across various use cases. Core Technology Components: Advanced speech-to-text models with industry-leading accuracy rates High-quality text-to-speech synthesis with natural voice generation Conversational speech recognition supporting natural dialogue flows Interruption handling capabilities for realistic human-computer interaction Low-latency APIs ensuring real-time response in critical applications The company currently serves over 1,300 organizations across multiple sectors. Notable customers include meeting notetaker Granola, voice agent startup Vapi, and communications platform Twilio. This diverse customer base demonstrates Deepgram’s technology applicability across different implementation scenarios. Financial Performance and Strategic Fundraising Interestingly, Deepgram approached this fundraising from a position of strength rather than necessity. CEO Scott Stephenson revealed the company achieved cash flow positivity last year and wasn’t actively seeking additional capital. “Voice AI has reached mainstream adoption with substantial market pull,” Stephenson stated. “We recognized an opportunity to accelerate growth through larger strategic investments. Multiple investors approached us, allowing selective partnership with those understanding voice AI’s technical intricacies and enterprise relationships.” The company plans to allocate new capital toward several strategic initiatives: Global expansion with improved multilingual support Vertical specialization beginning with restaurant solutions via Ofone Research and development enhancing core model capabilities Strategic partnerships with enterprise software providers Talent acquisition across engineering and sales divisions Enterprise Voice AI Implementation Trends The growing adoption of voice AI across enterprise functions reflects broader digital transformation trends. Organizations increasingly recognize voice interfaces as essential components of modern customer experience and operational efficiency strategies. Primary implementation areas include contact center automation, sales development support, customer service enhancement, and internal productivity tools. Additionally, consumer applications continue expanding as natural language processing improves and user acceptance grows. Deepgram’s technology addresses critical enterprise requirements including accuracy, scalability, security, and integration capabilities. The company’s focus on low-latency performance proves particularly important for real-time applications like customer service and sales conversations. Conclusion Deepgram’s $130 million Series C funding at a $1.3 billion valuation, combined with its strategic acquisition of YC-backed Ofone, represents a significant milestone in voice AI’s enterprise adoption journey. The company’s strong financial position, diverse investor base, and expanding technology applications position it for substantial growth as voice interfaces become increasingly integral to business operations. With the voice AI market projected for rapid expansion through 2030, Deepgram’s infrastructure-focused approach and vertical specialization strategy could establish it as a foundational provider in this transformative technology sector. FAQs Q1: What is Deepgram’s total funding after this Series C round? Deepgram has raised over $215 million in total funding, with this $130 million Series C representing its largest single round to date. Q2: Which investors participated in Deepgram’s latest funding round? The round was led by AVP with participation from existing investors including Alkeon, In-Q-Tel, Madrona, Tiger Global, Wing, and Y Combinator, plus new investors like Columbia University, Princeville Capital, Twilio, and SAP. Q3: What startup did Deepgram acquire alongside its funding announcement? Deepgram acquired Ofone, a Y Combinator-backed startup specializing in voice AI solutions for quick-service restaurants, particularly focusing on order accuracy and natural language processing for food ordering. Q4: How many organizations currently use Deepgram’s voice AI technology? Over 1,300 organizations utilize Deepgram’s voice AI products and models, including notable customers like meeting notetaker Granola, voice agent startup Vapi, and communications platform Twilio. Q5: What are the primary applications driving enterprise voice AI adoption? Key applications include contact center automation, sales development support, customer service enhancement, restaurant ordering systems, and various consumer applications requiring natural language interfaces. This post Deepgram’s Stunning $130M Series C Fuels Voice AI Dominance and Strategic YC Acquisition first appeared on BitcoinWorld .

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Polymarket lifts Polygon to $1.7M in January fees

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Polymarket’s 15-minute market, which allows users to bet on short-term “up or down” price movements for major cryptocurrencies, has triggered a surge in activity on the Polygon blockchain, driving significant network fees. These markets are known to resolve every 15 minutes based on Chainlink price feeds, making them fast-paced and attractive to high-frequency traders and arbitrage strategies. According to Castle Labs , Polygon has seen explosive growth this year. Since the year began, the chain has reportedly generated over $1.7 million in fees and burned 12.5 million+ POL , over $1.5 million. Why is Polygon’s fee generation up in 2026? The main reason for the increase in Polygon’s fee generation has been linked to a move Polymarket effected, which saw it turn on fees for its 15-minute markets one week ago, as reported by Cryptopolitan. According to a report from Castle Labs, the past 24 hours have seen Polymarket make over $100,000 in fees for Polygon. The fees Polymarket turned on for its 15-minute market also triggered a surge in gas prices; however, that has been managed with the Dandeli hardfork that went live at block 81,424,000, increasing the chain’s throughput to 20 mgas/s. The increased chain capacity is expected to ensure the network is able to handle the surge in activity with more predictable gas prices. An analysis of the P2P volumes across chains has shown Polygon now leads in the micropayments category, with 37% of market share. However, the share still converges towards Ethereum for the other categories, including the small, medium, and large payments. Building on the present hype, Polygon plans to partner with providers such as Revolut, Stripe, Flutterwave, Decard, and more to boost stablecoin transactions and onchain economic activity. This is all reportedly part of Polygon’s Open Money Stack, which targets more onchain applications of money and easier spending, so off-ramping will be an option, rather than a necessity. As the chain continues to evolve and build use cases outside of crypto, and the Polygon thesis plays out with Agglayer and Open Money Stack, more sources like Polymarket are expected to contribute even more to the chain’s growth, driving it back from the brink of obscurity. What’s Polygon’s Open Money Stack? According to a long-form article Polygon Lab’s CEO Marc Boiron posted on X, Polygon’s Open Money Stack is a comprehensive ecosystem that is designed to help the world’s financial system transition entirely onchain. In the article, the authors point out that even though the Internet has freed information, monetary transactions are still largely restricted by geography, time and infrastructure. They claim Polygon is looking to change that by making money movement “boundless and programmatic,” shifting from a slow, expensive legacy system to one that is more rapid and reliable. The Open Money Stack is an integrated suite of technologies designed to make the blockchain invisible to the end user and will be characterized by high-performance blockchain rails, simplified on and off ramps paired with cross-chain interoperability, good wallet infrastructure and onchain utility like high yield opportunities. The timeline for the total migration could be a decade, but Polygon is convinced the protocols that will define this category will be established in the next three years. In the coming weeks, Polygon Labs has plans to launch several initiatives that will focus on payments, compliance and onchain money primitives to move the execution forward from vision to execution. Want your project in front of crypto’s top minds? Feature it in our next industry report, where data meets impact.

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The Last Time This Happened, XRP Surged Over 36,000%

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Financial markets rarely reward impatience . Extended periods of sideways price action often feel uneventful, yet history shows that they frequently lay the groundwork for explosive trends. XRP now trades in one of those prolonged phases, where time, compression, and structure quietly shape the next major move. This perspective gained traction after STEPH IS CRYPTO shared a video analysis on X examining XRP’s current market structure through a historical lens. His assessment focused on duration and pattern symmetry rather than short-term volatility, drawing attention to how closely the present setup resembles a defining moment from XRP’s past. A 400-Day Consolidation With Familiar Structure Steph explained that XRP has spent roughly 400 days consolidating within a descending channel. He compared this directly to the 2016–2017 accumulation phase, when XRP moved sideways for approximately 395 days before breaking out. In both cases, price action compressed steadily while volatility declined, creating conditions that historically preceded strong expansion. #XRP Took 400 Days Last Time… pic.twitter.com/hQPkhyjafR — STEPH IS CRYPTO (@Steph_iscrypto) January 12, 2026 He emphasized that markets often respect time-based structures, especially when price continues to coil without breaking key support levels. What Followed the Last Extended Range Steph referenced XRP’s 2017 breakout as a historical example of how long consolidations can last. After nearly 395 days of sideways trading, XRP surged from around $0.006 to a peak near $3.84 within months. That move represented a gain exceeding 36,000% and unfolded alongside a broader crypto market expansion fueled by rising adoption and speculative momentum. He clarified that the comparison highlights structural similarity rather than a promise of identical returns. We are on X, follow us to connect with us :- @TimesTabloid1 — TimesTabloid (@TimesTabloid1) June 15, 2025 Current Market Behavior and Sentiment Steph noted that XRP’s current descending channel shows characteristics more consistent with accumulation than distribution. He explained that prolonged consolidation often transfers supply from short-term participants to longer-term holders, strengthening the base for future moves. He also observed that optimism has gradually returned across crypto communities, echoing early-cycle sentiment seen in past market expansions. However, he stressed that confirmation remains essential before any sustained breakout occurs. Context Over Prediction Steph framed his analysis as contextual insight rather than a price forecast. He avoided making explicit upside projections and instead encouraged investors to study structure, duration, and historical behavior. He emphasized that no two cycles unfold under identical conditions, especially as market liquidity and participation continue to evolve. In his view, XRP’s roughly 400-day consolidation stands out as one of the most technically significant phases in its history. Whether the outcome mirrors past cycles fully or partially, Steph argued that the current setup already represents a rare alignment of time, compression, and market psychology that deserves close attention. Disclaimer : This content is meant to inform and should not be considered financial advice. The views expressed in this article may include the author’s personal opinions and do not represent Times Tabloid’s opinion. Readers are urged to do in-depth research before making any investment decisions. Any action taken by the reader is strictly at their own risk. Times Tabloid is not responsible for any financial losses. Follow us on Twitter , Facebook , Telegram , and Google News The post The Last Time This Happened, XRP Surged Over 36,000% appeared first on Times Tabloid .

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Inflation Eases to 2.7%

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The Consumer Price Index (CPI) is up 2.7% in December over the last year, and 0.3% over November, in line with expectations.

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US CPI December 2025: Crucial Inflation Data Holds Steady at 2.7%, Matching Forecasts

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BitcoinWorld US CPI December 2025: Crucial Inflation Data Holds Steady at 2.7%, Matching Forecasts WASHINGTON, D.C. — January 15, 2025 — The U.S. Department of Labor released pivotal inflation data today, showing the Consumer Price Index (CPI) for December rose 2.7% year-over-year. This crucial figure matched consensus market expectations precisely, signaling a period of sustained price stability as the economy navigates a complex global landscape. The report provides essential insights for policymakers, investors, and consumers alike, offering a clear snapshot of inflationary pressures at the close of 2024. US CPI December 2025: A Detailed Breakdown of the Report The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) confirmed the 2.7% annual increase in its monthly CPI report. This key inflation gauge measures the average change over time in prices paid by urban consumers for a market basket of consumer goods and services. Furthermore, the core CPI, which excludes the volatile food and energy categories, also showed a moderated increase. Analysts immediately scrutinized the data components. Shelter costs, a significant weight in the index, continued their gradual deceleration. Conversely, services inflation remained somewhat sticky, while goods prices showed minimal monthly movement. This detailed composition matters greatly for the Federal Reserve’s ongoing assessment. Market reaction to the release was notably muted, reflecting the anticipated nature of the headline number. Treasury yields held steady, and major equity indices experienced only minor fluctuations. This calm response underscores how financial markets had already priced in the expected outcome. Economists point to several contributing factors for this stability. Supply chain normalization, moderating wage growth, and base effects from the previous year all played a role. The data solidifies a trend observed throughout the latter half of 2024, where inflation gradually retreated from its earlier peaks. Historical Context and the Inflation Timeline Understanding the December 2025 figure requires examining the recent inflationary journey. The U.S. economy experienced a significant surge in consumer prices following the pandemic recovery, with CPI peaking above 9% in mid-2022. Subsequently, a series of aggressive interest rate hikes by the Federal Reserve, combined with easing supply constraints, began to cool the economy. The path downward was not linear, however, encountering several pauses and minor upticks along the way. The 2.7% reading for December 2025 represents the culmination of nearly three years of concerted monetary policy effort. The following table illustrates the recent trajectory of headline CPI, providing essential context for the latest data point: Period Headline CPI (Year-over-Year %) Notable Context June 2022 9.1% Post-pandemic peak December 2023 3.4% Initial signs of sustained cooling June 2024 3.0% Sticky services inflation persists December 2024 (Reported Jan 2025) 2.7% Met expectations; trend confirms stability This timeline clearly shows the disinflationary progress. The latest data point brings inflation closer to the Federal Reserve’s longstanding 2% target, a goal explicitly defined by the Personal Consumption Expenditures (PCE) index, the Fed’s preferred gauge. The CPI and PCE often move in tandem but can diverge due to methodological differences. Expert Analysis and Policy Implications Leading financial institutions and economic research firms have weighed in on the report’s implications. “The data confirms the disinflationary process remains intact, but the last mile to 2% may be the most challenging,” noted a senior economist from a major Wall Street bank, referencing the potential for services inflation to plateau. This view is widely shared among policy analysts. The Federal Reserve’s Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) will scrutinize this report closely during its next policy meeting. The central bank must balance its dual mandate of price stability and maximum employment. Market participants now largely anticipate a patient approach from the Fed. The steady 2.7% reading reduces urgency for further rate hikes but does not immediately compel aggressive easing. Most analysts project a period of holding the federal funds rate at its current level, followed by cautious, data-dependent cuts later in 2025 if the trend holds. Key indicators they will monitor include: Employment Cost Index (ECI): For signs of wage pressure moderation. Shelter Inflation Lag: BLS methodology means housing data reflects older leases. Global Commodity Prices: Oil and food supply shocks remain a risk. Consumer Spending Data: To gauge demand-pull inflation potential. Furthermore, the report has direct consequences for American households. Social Security cost-of-living adjustments (COLAs), tax brackets, and many commercial contracts are tied to CPI movements. A stable inflation rate aids in long-term financial planning and reduces the erosion of purchasing power, particularly for those on fixed incomes. Broader Economic Impact and Sectoral Effects The inflation data reverberates across different sectors of the economy. For the housing market, moderating inflation supports the potential for lower mortgage rates over time, though the lag in shelter CPI remains a factor. The automotive industry watches closely, as vehicle prices and financing costs are sensitive to interest rate expectations shaped by inflation. Retailers and consumer goods companies use CPI trends to forecast input costs and consumer demand elasticity. A stable price environment generally supports business investment by reducing uncertainty. Internationally, U.S. inflation trends influence global capital flows and currency valuations. A steady disinflationary path in the world’s largest economy can provide stability for emerging markets and trading partners. It also affects the policy decisions of other major central banks, such as the European Central Bank and the Bank of England, which often operate in a correlated global monetary policy landscape. The December report, therefore, carries significance far beyond U.S. borders. Conclusion The December 2025 US CPI report, showing a 2.7% year-over-year increase, delivered exactly what economists forecasted. This alignment underscores a maturing phase in the post-pandemic economic cycle, characterized by receding inflationary shocks and a return to data-dependent policy. While the figure remains above the Federal Reserve’s target, the consistent downward trend and absence of surprises provide a foundation for cautious optimism. The path forward will depend on continued moderation in core services and shelter costs. For now, the US CPI data for December 2025 offers a clear signal of economic stabilization, a crucial datapoint for navigating the financial landscape of the coming year. FAQs Q1: What does the CPI rising 2.7% year-over-year actually mean? A1: It means that the average price level for a basket of common consumer goods and services was 2.7% higher in December 2025 than it was in December 2024. This indicates ongoing inflation, but at a much more moderate pace than was seen in 2022 and 2023. Q2: Why is the core CPI important if the headline number was 2.7%? A2: Core CPI excludes food and energy prices, which are highly volatile due to weather and geopolitical events. Policymakers like the Federal Reserve focus on core inflation to understand the underlying, persistent trend in consumer prices, which better informs long-term monetary policy decisions. Q3: How does this CPI report affect interest rates and my mortgage? A3: The report suggests inflation is cooling as expected, reducing pressure on the Federal Reserve to raise interest rates further. This stability can lead to a gradual decline in long-term borrowing costs, like mortgage rates, over time, though other factors also influence these markets. Q4: Does this mean inflation is “fixed”? A4: Not necessarily. While the trend is positive, inflation at 2.7% is still above the Fed’s 2% target. The last phase of reducing inflation can be slow, and risks from global events or a resurgence in consumer demand could alter the path. The data shows progress, not a final resolution. Q5: How does the CPI relate to the cost-of-living adjustments (COLA) for Social Security? A5: Social Security benefits receive an annual COLA based on the CPI-W, a variant of the CPI for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers. The 2.7% headline CPI increase is a strong indicator that the following year’s COLA will be in a similar range, helping benefits keep pace with inflation. This post US CPI December 2025: Crucial Inflation Data Holds Steady at 2.7%, Matching Forecasts first appeared on BitcoinWorld .

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