Venice AI is a privacy-focused, uncensored AI platform that uses tokens to replace pay-per-prompt pricing.
A mobile crypto mining farm has been busted in Russia’s Far East after burning millions of rubles’ worth of stolen electricity to mint digital currency. The improvised installation, hosted in the back of a truck, is not an isolated case of ingenuity on the part of rogue Russian miners trying to make a buck without paying the bill. Mobile crypto farm dismantled in Buryatia The mining farm on wheels, which was found in the Republic of Buryatia, has caused financial damages for 3 million rubles (over $38,000) in just a few days, according to the Russian Ministry of Internal Affairs (MVD). Its spokesperson Irina Volk took to Telegram to provide more details about what happened. Three residents of the Siberian region converted a truck for the purpose, placing some 100 mining rigs inside the cargo bay. The miners then drove the vehicle alongside power lines and illegally connected the equipment to the grid. They also recruited two other men to help them with the operation. All five participants have been detained by the local police and members of the National Guard, Volk said, adding that a criminal case has already been opened against them. Searches were conducted at the homes of the arrested, the crypto page of the business news portal RBC noted in a report, quoting her post on Monday. Law enforcement officers have seized mining hardware worth an estimated 6.5 million rubles, records and other pieces of evidence from their residences. Illegal Russian crypto miners become increasingly mobile The capture of the mining truck in Buryatia is not a unique incident in Russia, where those illegally involved in the industry are becoming more inventive. In November, officials in Dagestan said they had found a crypto farm installed in a Gazelle van. Employees of the local utility flew a drone equipped with thermal camera to locate it. Both republics are among a dozen Russian regions where mining has been partially or fully prohibited due to energy shortages largely caused by the crypto activity. Russia legalized mining in late 2024, but some of its territories, which maintain low electricity rates, were unprepared for the spike in both legal and illegal coin minting operations . Mining in Dagestan, where authorities shut down more than 100 underground crypto farms last year, and most other Russian republics in the North Caucasus is strictly prohibited. Buryatia, which initially imposed seasonal restrictions during the cold winter months, has been slated for a year-round ban by the federal government this year, alongside the neighboring Zabaykalsky Krai. Irkutsk Oblast, the adjacent region which is often called the mining capital of Russia for its high concentration of coin minting enterprises, has already prohibited mining in its southern parts. However, according to a recent report by official Russian media quoting experts in the field, the executive power in Moscow is unlikely to expand further the geography of the restrictive measures in 2026. Companies and sole proprietors are free to mine in Russia as long as they register with the tax authority. The low level of registrations so far is making the authorities think of ways to bring more of the sector out of the shadows, including by offering an amnesty . Meanwhile, Russian officials have been intensifying the crackdown on those who mint on stolen electric power and their farms. Amendments criminalizing such activities were recently put forward by the Justice Ministry. The authorities are also employing increasingly sophisticated methods to locate illegal crypto mining facilities, including tracking electricity consumption and internet traffic . If you're reading this, you’re already ahead. Stay there with our newsletter .
A Polymarket trader has seen their stake across various bets lose more than $2.36 million in just eight days. The account, which joined the platform in January 2026, shows a total of 53 predictions placed over the short period, ending with an all-time loss of approximately $2.36 million and a remaining position value close to zero, according to insights retrieved from Polymarket on January 13. Crypto trader’s bets summary. Source: Polymarket During the eight days, the trader recorded 25 winning trades and 28 losing trades, resulting in a win rate of about 47.2%. On the surface, the performance was not dramatically poor, but the structure of the bets proved fatal. The activity was heavily concentrated in sports markets, particularly NFL, NBA, NHL, and NCAA games, with a strong preference for spread-based outcomes rather than simple win-or-lose markets. How the trader lost Most positions were entered at prices between $0.40 and $0.60, implying moderate confidence rather than near certainty. Crypto trader’s bets summary. Source: Polymarket However, conviction was expressed through size rather than pricing. Individual trades frequently ranged from $200,000 to more than $1 million, with some positions exceeding two million shares. These bets were typically held through settlement, with no evidence of hedging, scaling out, or reducing exposure as outcomes approached resolution. Interestingly, the trader did record several notable wins. Some successful positions delivered returns of roughly 60% to 150%, generating individual profits in the hundreds of thousands of dollars and, in one case, producing a single win of more than $700,000. These gains, however, masked a deeper structural problem. Losing trades in Polymarket spread markets often settle at zero, resulting in a total loss of the capital committed to that position. As a result, just two or three losing outcomes were enough to erase the profits from multiple winning bets. With no apparent limits on position size and little diversification across correlated outcomes, the account’s equity became dependent on the results of a handful of games. Ultimately, the losses stemmed from allowing single outcomes to determine the survival of the entire account. Featured image via Shutterstock The post How this crypto trader blew over 2 million in 8 days on Polymarket appeared first on Finbold .
Tightening KYC regulations and growing scrutiny on the digital economy are triggering more investor demand for privacy-preserving digital assets like Monero.
BitcoinWorld U.S. Dollar Strategy: The Shocking ‘Buy on Subpoena, Sell on Indictment’ Rule Explained by StanChart LONDON, March 2025 – Global currency markets often react violently to political headlines, but analysts at Standard Chartered (StanChart) have identified a specific, counterintuitive pattern for trading the U.S. dollar: ‘buy on the subpoena, sell on the indictment.’ This framework, detailed in the bank’s latest quarterly macro outlook, provides a structured lens for navigating the U.S. currency’s relationship with domestic political and legal turbulence. The strategy hinges on market psychology and the typical timeline of American judicial processes, offering forex traders a potential roadmap amid uncertainty. Decoding the ‘Buy on Subpoena, Sell on Indictment’ U.S. Dollar Strategy Standard Chartered’s foreign exchange strategy team, led by Head of G10 FX Research Steve Englander, formalized this concept after observing repeated market behavior. Essentially, the initial news of a major political subpoena or formal investigation often triggers a knee-jerk sell-off in the dollar. Market participants immediately price in heightened political risk and potential governance instability. However, StanChart argues this reaction typically creates a buying opportunity. The period between a subpoena and a potential indictment is usually lengthy, involving legal wrangling and procedural delays. Consequently, the initial panic subsides, and the dollar often recovers as markets refocus on fundamental drivers like interest rate differentials and economic data. Conversely, the actual event of an indictment represents a concrete escalation. It moves the situation from investigation to formal accusation, significantly raising the probability of a prolonged, public legal battle that could paralyze policy-making. StanChart’s analysis suggests this is the point to take profits or establish short positions, as the tangible increase in political risk premium weighs on the currency. This strategy is not about the legal merits of a case but purely about trader psychology and the market’s digestion of political risk over time. Historical Context and Market Mechanics This framework finds support in recent financial history. For instance, during the special counsel investigations of the late 2010s, the Dollar Index (DXY) experienced short-term volatility but generally trended within broader ranges dictated by Federal Reserve policy. The initial news spikes caused fleeting dips, which were frequently reversed within weeks. The market’s capacity to ‘look through’ political noise when economic fundamentals remain strong is a key pillar of StanChart’s thesis. The mechanics rely on several factors: Liquidity and Haven Status: The U.S. dollar remains the world’s primary reserve currency. During genuine global risk-off events, capital still flows into U.S. Treasuries, providing a bedrock of support. Fed Independence: Markets generally perceive the Federal Reserve as operating independently of political cycles. Its decisions on interest rates often overshadow political headlines in the medium term. Time Arbitrage: Legal processes are slow. The strategy exploits the gap between the initial emotional sell-off and the eventual, slower-moving legal reality. Expert Analysis and Risk Parameters Steve Englander emphasizes this is a tactical rule, not a universal law. ‘The strategy works best in an environment where the U.S. economy is fundamentally sound, and the Fed is on a predictable policy path,’ he notes. ‘It can fall apart if the legal event directly threatens institutional stability or occurs alongside an economic recession.’ The bank’s research cites specific volatility metrics, like the CBOE’s Dollar Volatility Index, which tend to spike on subpoena news and then compress, creating the entry window. Furthermore, the type of investigation matters. This strategy is primarily calibrated for high-profile political investigations with domestic implications. It may not apply to corporate legal issues or foreign policy-driven events. The 2025 analysis also incorporates the changed media landscape, where information diffusion is instantaneous, potentially shortening the initial market reaction phase. Implications for Global Forex and Asset Allocation The ripple effects of this dollar strategy are significant for global asset allocators. A predictable dollar response to U.S. political events influences cross-currency pairs, emerging market assets, and commodity prices. For example, a recovering dollar post-subpoena could pressure EUR/USD and gold. StanChart advises clients to monitor the political calendar and legal dockets as closely as economic calendars. Comparatively, other major currencies like the Euro or Japanese Yen exhibit different sensitivities. They might strengthen on U.S. political turmoil not due to their own positive news, but from temporary dollar weakness. However, StanChart cautions that such moves are often corrective unless the event signals a profound, long-term shift in U.S. governance credibility. Phases of the Strategy & Market Response Phase Event Typical Dollar Reaction Recommended Action Phase 1 Issuance of Subpoena / Investigation Announcement Immediate sell-off on risk premium Watch for oversold conditions; prepare to buy Phase 2 Procedural Legal Period (Weeks/Months) Stabilization and recovery on fundamentals Hold long dollar positions Phase 3 Formal Indictment Filed Renewed sell-off on concrete escalation Sell dollar / take profits Phase 4 Post-Indictment Legal Proceedings Direction driven by broader macro factors Strategy resets; assess new fundamentals Conclusion Standard Chartered’s ‘buy on subpoena, sell on indictment’ framework provides a disciplined, experience-driven approach to a specific type of market volatility. It underscores that while the U.S. dollar is sensitive to political shocks, its deep liquidity and fundamental anchors create predictable behavioral patterns. For traders and investors in 2025, understanding this interplay between legal timelines and market psychology is crucial. This U.S. dollar strategy does not guarantee profits but offers a structured way to analyze risk, emphasizing that in forex markets, timing and trader sentiment around political-legal events can be as important as the events themselves. FAQs Q1: What is the core premise of StanChart’s dollar strategy? The core premise is that markets overreact initially to the news of a political subpoena (selling dollars), creating a buying opportunity. They then underprice the risk of a subsequent indictment, which is the time to sell, as the legal situation concretely worsens. Q2: Does this strategy always work? No. StanChart presents it as a tactical rule of thumb. Its effectiveness depends on the broader economic context, the severity of the legal threat, and the Federal Reserve’s simultaneous policy stance. Q3: How does this impact other currencies like the Euro or Yen? They often see short-term gains during the initial dollar sell-off phase. However, sustained moves require their own positive fundamentals. They typically give back gains if the dollar recovers per the strategy’s second phase. Q4: What is the biggest risk to this trading approach? The biggest risk is an investigation that escalates far more quickly than historically normal or one that directly triggers a constitutional or severe financial crisis, bypassing the typical slow legal timeline the strategy exploits. Q5: Is this strategy relevant for long-term investors or only traders? It is primarily a tactical guide for shorter-term traders. Long-term investors should focus on deeper economic fundamentals, though understanding this pattern can help them avoid making panic-driven portfolio decisions during political news cycles. This post U.S. Dollar Strategy: The Shocking ‘Buy on Subpoena, Sell on Indictment’ Rule Explained by StanChart first appeared on BitcoinWorld .
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U.S. consumer inflation held steady in December, with the Consumer Price Index (CPI) rising 2.7% over the past year, matching economists’ expectations and reinforcing the view that inflation remains sticky but contained heading into 2026. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reported Tuesday that headline CPI rose 0.3% month-on-month, in line with forecasts and consistent with recent monthly trend levels. The annual figure remained unchanged at 2.7%, signaling that price pressures have neither meaningfully accelerated nor eased in recent months. Core CPI, which strips out food and energy and is seen as the better gauge of underlying inflation, increased 0.2% m/m in December, which is slightly cooler than expected, and rose 2.6% over the past year. Inflation Holds Steady, Driven by Services and Shelter December’s data reaffirms the broader pattern of slow-moving disinflation, with goods prices generally stable or falling while services categories including shelter, medical care, and transportation continue to push overall inflation above the Federal Reserve’s 2% target. The roughly 2.7% annual pace signals that inflation is still stuck in the “last mile,” where progress tends to slow, even as the most volatile components have already come back down. Economists had widely expected a firm monthly reading, in part due to the normalization of data collection after the 43-day federal government shutdown disrupted prior CPI reports and led to unusually soft figures earlier in the autumn. Softening Labor Market and Mixed Consumer Signals The inflation release lands amid signs of cooling economic momentum. December payroll growth came in weaker than expected, capping the slowest calendar-year job gains since the post-pandemic recovery. Consumer sentiment has inched higher in recent months, but confidence levels remain well below where they stood before 2025, reflecting continued caution among households. Major forecasters, including The Conference Board and BNP Paribas, expect U.S. GDP growth to stabilize around 2%-3% in 2026, with inflation gradually easing as the year progresses. The ongoing moderation in hiring and wage growth could eventually help reduce services-sector inflation, though those effects have yet to meaningfully appear in the CPI data. Fed Outlook: No Shift Expected After an In-Line Report With December’s CPI broadly matching expectations, analysts say the report is unlikely to alter the Federal Reserve’s near-term policy stance. Fed officials, including New York Fed President John Williams, have recently suggested that current interest-rate settings are “well positioned” to guide inflation back to target. Some major banks, including JPMorgan, have even argued that the Fed may avoid cutting rates entirely in 2026 if inflation proves stubborn. The December CPI reading gives the Fed little reason to accelerate future policy easing, but the softer core monthly reading may reinforce the view that inflation is slowly trending in the right direction. Markets will now shift focus toward the January CPI data, PCE inflation, and the March FOMC meeting for clearer signals on the timing of any eventual policy adjustments. Market Reaction Much of the crypto market reacted positively to the CPI release. The market’s leader, Bitcoin (BTC) , jumped 0.3% shortly after the release, data from CoinCodex shows. BTC price (Source: CoinCodex) Similarly, the rest of the top 10 cryptos recorded minor gains in the minutes after the release. Overall, the total crypto market cap has risen over 1% in the past 24 hours. Gold price (Source: CoinCodex) Gold, which has been on a medium-term rally and has set back-to-back all-time highs in recent months, trades at $4,613.22 at the time of writing , near record levels. The price of silver surged over 2% in the last hour to outperform gold following the release. Meanwhile, US stocks saw mixed reactions to the latest CPI data. What Comes Next December’s CPI report keeps the broader inflation narrative intact: progress is happening, but slowly. With core inflation still running above target, albeit gradually cooling, attention will now turn to whether easing labor-market conditions begin exerting meaningful downward pressure on services prices early in 2026. Economists expect the first half of 2026 to remain defined by slow disinflation, modest growth, and a patient Federal Reserve, with today’s CPI reading doing little to disrupt that outlook. However, Fed chair Jerome Powell said last month that he expects the peak impact of tariffs on price pressures to materialize in the first quarter of the year, meaning that the next couple of inflation reports will be even more closely scrutinized. But after that impact fades, many officials are forecasting inflation to resume its journey back to the central bank’s 2 percent target.
The U.S. Consumer Price Index came in roughly in line with expectations as market participants largely expects the Fed to leave interest rates unchanged at the January meeting.
Telegram is often regarded as a platform for group chats, channels, and quick updates. However,
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 .