[BUSINESS]

Big Tech's trillion-dollar AI investment plans are putting pressure on credit default swap markets, a critical indicator of financial stress. The surge reflects growing concerns about debt levels tied to massive infrastructure spending.

A consortium of private equity firm Advent and payment processor Stripe has abandoned its bid to acquire PayPal Holdings Inc. The group had offered $60.50 per share, valuing the fintech giant at approximately $53 billion.

The Trump administration's EPA plans to eliminate a federal rule requiring public notice and comment periods when industrial sites, including data centers, apply for air permits. The change would let developers proceed without giving nearby residents a voice in the process.

SK Hynix is pursuing closer cooperation with Japanese customers and suppliers in the memory sector, according to CEO Kwak Noh-Jung. The South Korean chipmaker aims to strengthen partnerships within Japan's memory industry ecosystem.

Tech leaders are criticizing Trump's proposed tax on data centers as counterproductive to U.S. AI competitiveness. The plan would impose levies on the computing infrastructure essential to developing artificial intelligence.

Poland is pushing for a European Union investigation into Meta Platforms following years of pressure from InPost billionaire Rafal Brzoska over fraudulent advertisements on the company's services.

Test drivers for Waymo and Zoox sustained more than two dozen injuries in 2024 and 2025 from hard braking and sudden movements made by autonomous vehicles, according to OSHA data reviewed by TechCrunch.

Kioxia and Sandisk plan to invest over $31 billion in Japan through 2032 to expand chip production capacity and advance semiconductor technology. The investment includes an $11.3 billion manufacturing facility in Kitakami.

Artificial intelligence infrastructure expenses continue climbing while the price of AI services drops sharply, leaving investors scrambling to identify winners and losers in the sector.

CrowdStrike Holdings Inc.'s stock gained Wednesday after the cybersecurity firm issued annual revenue guidance that exceeded analyst expectations. The forecast reflects sustained demand in the cybersecurity sector, driven partly by rising artificial intelligence-related threats.

Okta reported second-quarter revenue of $805M, beating estimates by $10M, while net income surged 73% year-over-year to $116M. The identity software provider raised full-year guidance, sending shares up 20% in after-hours trading.

Investors and analysts will scrutinize Nvidia's artificial intelligence spending outlook and revenue projections when the chipmaker reports earnings Wednesday, according to Mizuho Securities analyst Vijay Rakesh.

CrowdStrike reported Q2 revenue of $1.47B, beating analyst estimates of $1.44B with 26% year-over-year growth. The cybersecurity firm's stock surged over 9% in after-hours trading following the results.

HP reported Q3 revenue of $15.7 billion, up 12.5% year-over-year, driven by an 18% surge in PC sales. However, the company's shares fell more than 9% after-hours as investors grew concerned about weakening demand signals.

Nvidia reported Q2 revenue of $96.2 billion, up 106% year-over-year, with net income surging 126% to $59.7 billion. Data Center revenue, the company's primary growth engine, reached $89 billion, up 117% from the same period last year.

Salesforce delivered Q2 revenue of $11.35 billion, edging analyst estimates, while net income nearly doubled to $3.5 billion. The company's upbeat Q3 guidance sent shares climbing 13% in after-hours trading.

Up to 50% of proposed US data centers face potential delays or cancellations due to political opposition and construction complexities, according to investment firm Kimmeridge Energy Management Co.

A court has blocked a Trump-era FCC order that would have required broadcast TV stations to offer the lowest advertising rates to political parties and fundraising committees. The ruling prevents a potential surge in election-related advertisements during broadcast programming.

Vanguard Group agreed to acquire Altruist, a software platform for registered investment advisors, for $4.6 billion in cash. The deal values the startup at more than double its $1.9 billion valuation from early 2025.

A London judge ruled that Samsung Electronics must pay Swatch Group $11.6 million for unlawfully hosting copied displays for luxury brands on its smartwatch platform.

Public polling reveals Americans' opposition to data centers stems primarily from local environmental and economic issues, not ideological opposition to Big Tech companies.

Huawei has proposed exporting its high-end Ascend 950-series chips to Egypt for building government AI data centers. The move tests Washington's ability to enforce tech restrictions outside direct US allies.

Gulf Development Pcl, Thailand's largest power producer, expects revenue to rise up to 15% this year driven by new plant capacity and expanded telecommunications and data-center operations.

Uber and Wayve's plans to launch autonomous taxi services in London this summer have stalled due to regulatory gaps and technical challenges. The firms received minicab licenses but face unclear guidance on operating self-driving vehicles.

Credit card rewards programs have redirected $9.2 billion annually from merchants and non-users to affluent cardholders, according to Harvard Business School research. The system creates a regressive wealth transfer where lower-income consumers subsidize benefits for higher earners.

China is accelerating factory automation to address a shrinking population and aging workforce. The push threatens jobs for 120 million manufacturing workers amid demographic headwinds.

Apple prepares its first Mac mini update in nearly two years, while Dick's Sporting Goods shares fall sharply after cutting full-year guidance due to weakness at its Foot Locker acquisition.

HP has signed a multi-year global agreement to license standard essential Wi-Fi patents from Huawei, marking a notable expansion of the Chinese tech company's technology adoption outside its home market.

Chinese chipmaker YMTC plans to raise $5 billion in a Shanghai IPO while targeting the position of world's largest NAND flash supplier by 2027, according to sources cited by the Financial Times.

Fiat Ventures has merged its venture and advisory divisions under a unified brand while securing $35 million for its second fund. The consolidation aims to differentiate the firm in a competitive landscape where emerging managers face LP acquisition challenges.

Nine Entertainment's CEO Matt Stanton expects new Australian media bargaining laws to unlock publishing opportunities through AI deals, even as the network implements a $160 million cost reduction program.

OnlyFans distributed $709 million in dividends to its billionaire owner over several months preceding his death in March.

Zoom reported second-quarter revenue of $1.28 billion, exceeding analyst estimates of $1.27 billion with 4.9% year-over-year growth. However, the company's Q3 earnings forecast fell short of expectations.

The Department of Homeland Security announced a dramatic fee increase for H-1B visas, while the State Department simultaneously moved to revoke visas for up to 200,000 asylum seekers in what would be the largest mass visa revocation in U.S. history.

Scotland's government is moving toward a moratorium on new datacentre developments after unprecedented public opposition. A proposed megaproject in Auchtertool, Fife—set to be the world's second-largest datacentre—has generated 1,600 objections.

Zoom Communications delivered a quarterly sales forecast that matched analyst expectations, failing to excite investors who anticipated stronger growth from its newly expanded product lineup.

U.S. clean energy capacity is set to reach record growth despite efforts to restrict the sector. S&P Global Energy projects a 45GW capacity increase this year.

Taiwan prosecutors charged nine people Monday for illegally exporting high-end AI servers to mainland China, including employees from Nvidia and Super Micro Computer. The case marks another escalation in US-China competition over advanced semiconductor technology.

Electric carmaker Polestar will be barred from selling new vehicles in the United States starting with the 2027 model year after the Commerce Department cited national security concerns under new connected-vehicle regulations. Polestar claims the Trump administration misled it about the timeline and requirements.

Australian datacentre developers are accelerating construction timelines to avoid strict new federal regulations expected to require renewable energy integration and water conservation measures.

Indian technology companies have already begun cutting their use of H-1B visas, reducing potential exposure to stricter Trump administration policies before new fee increases take effect.

Zillow and Redfin have reached a settlement with the Federal Trade Commission over antitrust allegations. The deal requires Redfin to reenter the rental advertising market.

Two planned datacentres in England will produce 4.5 million tonnes of carbon emissions annually—exceeding ExxonMobil's entire UK carbon footprint. Analysis suggests the facilities pose a serious threat to Britain's legally binding climate targets.

Jack Ma has joined senior executives in purchasing Alibaba Group stock, signaling support for the company's artificial intelligence strategy, according to the South China Morning Post.

UK filings show Fenix International paid founder Leonid Radvinsky $709 million in dividends in the months before his death in March. The platform's parent company reported $1.55 billion in FY 2025 revenue, up 10% year-over-year.

A $372 million bond issuance in New Zealand signals how extreme AI-related borrowing has become in major credit markets. The move marks a major borrower's first overseas issuance there in nearly a decade.

Australia's federal court found that eHarmony engaged in misleading conduct through subscription practices that cost hundreds of customers hundreds of dollars each. The ACCC pursued legal action after receiving hundreds of complaints about the US-based dating site.

The rapid growth of data centers is driving a wave of new natural gas power plants across the United States. Dozens of gas projects are either proposed or under construction to meet the massive electricity demands of AI and computing infrastructure.

GoFundMe CEO Tim Cadogan discusses how the crowdfunding platform evolved into a critical financial safety net for Americans. The company took on outsized cultural significance starting in March 2020, coinciding with Cadogan's appointment as CEO.

SK Hynix's union has rejected a preliminary wage agreement that would have included salary increases and bonus payments in company shares, according to Yonhap News.

Temu's parent company PDD Holdings reported Q2 revenue of $16.72 billion, up 8.1% year-over-year but falling short of the $17.17 billion estimate. Net profit declined 12% to $4.04 billion, though it exceeded analyst expectations of $3.63 billion.

Situational Awareness, once a Wall Street darling focused on AI investing, is now under federal investigation after nearly collapsing. The hedge fund has received SEC subpoenas as regulators examine its operations.

Canada-based logistics software company Descartes has acquired Tai, a California transportation management system provider, for $100 million in cash.

AMD has reached a historic milestone, capturing 30.3% of x86 client CPU shipments in Q2—the first time the company has broken the 30% barrier. The achievement marks significant gains against Intel, which holds 69.7% of the market.

Amazon is increasing hardware prices by 60 percent as the ongoing memory chip shortage drives up production costs. The company says it has no choice but to pass these expenses to consumers.

European regulatory compliance costs are pricing micro-entrepreneurs and makers out of business, according to industry analysis. The burden falls disproportionately on small operations unable to absorb legal and administrative expenses.

The UK Prime Minister has endorsed Ofcom to take enforcement action against social media platforms under the Online Safety Act for failing to remove dangerous driving content. The move follows a crash that killed seven people.

Donald Trump's family has secured preliminary approval to establish a national bank, capitalizing on deregulation initiatives during the Trump administration.

The Trump administration has proposed a $103,265 fee on H-1B visa applicants hired within the US, following a court decision that blocked a previous fee targeting workers from outside the country.

UK businesses invested over £11 billion in digital infrastructure during 2025, according to the Office for National Statistics. The surge matches investment levels last seen during the dot-com era, driven primarily by the expansion of AI data centers.

ESPN is raising subscription prices effective September 17th, with monthly plans increasing by $1-$2 and annual plans by $10-$20. The price hikes will also affect Disney Plus bundle pricing.

The FTC has reached a settlement with Zillow, ending litigation over alleged anticompetitive conduct. The agency accused Zillow of paying Redfin $100 million to exit the rental listings market.

PDD Holding Inc., the owner of shopping app Temu, saw its shares rise in premarket trading after reporting second-quarter adjusted earnings that exceeded analyst expectations.

Irish lawmakers are reconsidering the country's 1999 prohibition on nuclear power as data centers consume roughly 25% of the nation's electricity. The mounting energy demands have forced policymakers to reassess atomic energy as a potential solution.

Content creators are organizing against a UK government proposal to favor traditional broadcasters in video platform algorithms. Influencers like Simon Squibb are rallying followers to oppose the measure.

New Zealand is advancing legislation to prohibit children under 16 from accessing social media platforms, citing documented harms to youth mental health and development.

Chinese fast-fashion giant Shein voluntarily submitted its $80 million acquisition of American clothing retailer Everlane to US Treasury's CFIUS national security review. The move is unusual, as companies typically avoid triggering such scrutiny.

Investment in UK fintech firms dropped to its lowest level since at least 2016 in the first half of 2024. Funders are shifting capital toward artificial intelligence companies and businesses demonstrating long-term growth potential.

Alibaba launched a HK$80 billion ($10.2 billion) share placement on Sunday, offering 710 million shares at a 3.6% discount to fund artificial intelligence investments.

Flock Safety, a surveillance technology company, faces mounting public opposition over potential misuse of its systems. The CEO has called for compromise amid the controversy.

Tech giants like Meta and Oracle are raising billions for datacenter construction with debt structures that differ from traditional balance sheet reporting. Despite warnings of a crisis, experts argue the risks are manageable and not comparable to past corporate failures.

Walmart's Flipkart has scaled its quick-commerce operations to 1.1-1.2 million orders daily, nearly tripling its volume since November, positioning the platform to compete directly with India's leading rapid-delivery players.

The Department of Justice is investigating Andreessen Horowitz's approach to board seats at portfolio companies. The scrutiny raises questions about whether other venture capital firms face similar legal exposure.

U.S. battery startups have received $500 million in Department of Energy grants as the industry faces headwinds from reduced EV incentives. The funding provides critical support to companies struggling in a competitive market.

Canada has suspended trade negotiations with the United States and announced it will implement matching tariffs dollar for dollar in response to American duties.

Apollo Global Management's chief economist Torsten Slok has identified a counterintuitive labor market trend: artificial intelligence adoption is dampening wage growth while employment levels remain stable.

California and 28 other states opened a landmark antitrust trial against Meta this week, alleging the company designs addictive platforms to exploit user data while violating children's privacy laws.

Boise, Idaho is experiencing rapid economic growth driven by Micron Technology's expansion, creating new millionaires and thousands of jobs. However, the surge has also driven up housing costs and widened wealth inequality.

SK Hynix and its labor union have reached a tentative wage agreement featuring a 6.3% salary increase. The deal also structures profit-sharing bonuses as 60% shares and 40% cash.

The Trump administration is pursuing a new spaceport on federal land to support heavy and super-heavy lift launch capabilities. The policy aims to expand U.S. space transportation infrastructure.

ITG's CFO Chris Mecray compared the company to a picks-and-shovels operation, describing its fiber and communications infrastructure as essential to supporting the AI boom. The positioning comes as ITG navigates its post-IPO growth following its July 1 public listing.

Comsol Networks is securing multi-billion-rand funding through debt and equity to construct a new 5G network across South Africa, according to CEO Iain Stevenson.

A lawsuit claims Zillow deliberately concealed rental listings from its platform, artificially restricting supply and driving up rents across New York City. Renters allege the practice made housing less affordable.

Meta is defending itself against a landmark legal challenge from 29 states alleging the company deliberately designed addictive platforms while misrepresenting their safety to the public.

A lawsuit targets Logitech over price increases up to 25 percent last year, demanding the company return tariff-related gains to customers.

Anthropic is preparing for a blockbuster public listing expected to match or exceed SpaceX's record IPO valuation. The AI company's push comes as chip demand from the sector reaches critical levels.

Opposition to data center construction near residential areas jumped from 42 to 75 percent among Americans in just 12 months, according to a Heatmap News survey. Nearly two-thirds of respondents expressed strong opposition.

While regulators view dynamic pricing as exploitative, economists warn that restricting the practice may ultimately raise costs for consumers across the board.

Broadcom is raising over $60 billion in debt to help companies like Anthropic secure chips and computing power. The massive financing round underscores growing concerns about the sustainability of AI infrastructure costs.

Bloomberg journalists will host a live Q&A on Wednesday, August 26 at 1 p.m. EDT to discuss how surging demand for AI data centers has triggered widespread outrage across the United States.

Waymo has provided documents to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration as part of an investigation into a child collision involving one of its autonomous vehicles. The company's responses remain heavily redacted, citing confidential business information.

Data centers face a distinct challenge compared to other infrastructure projects: opposition isn't limited to local resistance. Critics question whether the AI buildout is necessary at all, driven by concerns over resource consumption.

Take-Two Interactive has subpoenaed Microsoft and Discord following leaked Grand Theft Auto VI gameplay footage. The publisher is seeking to identify users who shared copyrighted material from the unreleased game.

The Department of Justice is investigating Andreessen Horowitz partners holding board seats at competing companies Databricks and Fivetran. The probe marks a rare application of 112-year-old antitrust law against venture capital firms.

Alphabet's Waymo has doubled its lobbying expenditures as it seeks regulatory approval for fully autonomous taxi services in the US. The spending increase reflects intensifying competition with Uber over the future of self-driving vehicles.

Oura faces a lawsuit alleging its popular smart rings cannot accurately measure sleep quality or stages, contradicting the company's marketing claims about the device's physiological monitoring capabilities.

The United States is drafting a letter to partner countries demanding they pick between American or Chinese AI dominance, according to Reuters. The move escalates tensions in the global competition for artificial intelligence leadership.

Kakao Corp plans to separate its chat app-based platform business into a new company called KakaoAI, targeting a Korea stock market listing in 2027.

Tesla is recalling 3 million vehicles in China as part of a coordinated safety push involving nine automakers. The recalls address difficulties in locating and operating manual door release mechanisms.

Private equity firm Apollo Global Management disclosed a data breach as hackers intensify attacks on financial institutions. The breach follows recent warnings from Google researchers about coordinated targeting of the financial sector.