Bitcoin debates, stablecoin growth, AI surveillance expansion, and humanoid robots in factories highlight a week of rapid change in Web3 and AI.
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In Web3, debates over regulation and legitimacy remain front and centre. Regulators such as the Bank of England are cautiously exploring stablecoin frameworks, and tokenisation continues to gather momentum.
Geopolitics and macro trends are also shaping the sector. Conflict in the Middle East has disrupted major events and sponsorship deals tied to exchanges such as OKX. At the same time, stablecoins continue to gain traction globally, with USDC approaching a record market capitalisation.
In artificial intelligence, the technology’s rapid expansion is producing both breakthroughs and new risks. Surveillance systems powered by AI are spreading across parts of Africa, and legal battles are also intensifying with tech firms backing Anthropic in a dispute with the US over the military use of AI systems.
BMW has also begun deploying humanoid robots in manufacturing, while tools such as Microsoft Copilot are moving deeper into healthcare and productivity workflows. As innovation accelerates, the week’s headlines highlight a growing tension between technological capability, regulatory control, and public trust.
Get up to speed with the latest in Web3 and AI with this week’s Pasar Pulse.
Crypto and Web3
Boris Johnson Calls Bitcoin a Ponzi Scheme
Former UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson described Bitcoin as a “Ponzi scheme” and claimed it has less value than Pokémon cards. He cited a friend’s financial loss in a crypto scam as evidence.
Brazil Crypto Groups Protest Stablecoin Tax
Industry groups representing 850 firms have opposed plans to extend Brazil’s IOF tax to stablecoins. They argue that stablecoins are not fiat currency and that applying the tax would be unconstitutional under the country’s legal framework.
BoE Seeks Feedback on Stablecoin Rules
The Bank of England has signalled greater openness towards stablecoins but says it has received limited constructive feedback. Deputy Governor Sarah Breeden said the central bank is willing to reconsider holding limits designed to protect banks.
USYC Overtakes BUIDL in Treasury Market
Circle’s USYC token has become the largest tokenised US Treasury product, reaching a market value of US$2.2 billion and surpassing BlackRock’s BUIDL fund. Growth has been driven by its use as off-exchange collateral on Binance.
Iran Conflict Disrupts Events and F1 Sponsorships
Regional conflict has forced the postponement of TOKEN2049 Dubai until 2027 and led to the cancellation of the Bahrain and Saudi Arabian Grand Prix races. These disruptions affect multi-million-dollar sponsorship agreements from exchanges such as OKX and Crypto.com.
EF Sells US$10.2 Million in ETH to BitMine
The Ethereum Foundation has completed an over-the-counter sale of 5,000 ETH to BitMine Immersion Technologies, valued at approximately US$10.2 million. The transaction is intended to support core operations and ecosystem growth.
Buterin Laments FLI’s Aggressive Stance
Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin lamented that the funds gained from his share of SHIB tokens in 2021 are now being used to push an aggressive political and cultural campaign on AI which he fears could be authoritarian, fragile, and counterproductive.
USDC Nears US$80 Billion Market Cap
USDC’s market capitalisation is approaching US$80 billion in part due to capital flight from the United Arab Emirates. Analysts link this trend to a 27% decline in Dubai property prices, with some sellers reportedly accepting BTC at discounted rates.
Artificial Intelligence (AI)
AI Mass Surveillance Expands Across Africa
Eleven African countries have spent more than US$2 billion on Chinese-built AI surveillance technology. Experts warn that these systems are frequently used to suppress dissent, and Nigeria and Egypt are among the largest adopters.
Grammarly Sued Over Expert Review AI Tool
Grammarly has disabled its “Expert Review” feature after facing a lawsuit alleging that it imitates writers without consent. The class action seeks more than US$5 million in damages, claiming the company unlawfully monetised real identities.
Researchers Test the Limits of AI Systems
Researchers have developed a 2,500-question test covering specialised fields to identify the limits of current AI models. The low score on advanced systems highlights the gap between pattern recognition capabilities and genuine expert knowledge.
Tech Giants Support Anthropic in Pentagon Dispute
Microsoft and several other firms are backing Anthropic’s legal challenge against a Pentagon designation that labelled the company a supply-chain risk. The dispute began after Anthropic refused to allow its AI models to be used for autonomous lethal weapons.
Copilot Health Introduced for Data Analysis
Microsoft has launched Copilot Health to analyse lab results and medical records from more than 50,000 hospitals. Although the system provides citations for its responses, it is not currently compliant with US health privacy standards.
AI Chatbots May Reinforce Delusional Thinking
A new study suggests that AI chatbots may unintentionally validate or amplify delusional beliefs in vulnerable users. Researchers warn that AI could accelerate the progression from uncertain beliefs to fully developed psychotic conviction.
Facial Scan Error Leads to Wrong Arrest
A grandmother was reportedly imprisoned for six months after facial recognition software mistakenly linked her to a crime committed 1,200 miles away. The case highlights growing concerns about misidentification.
BMW Deploys Robots in German Factory
BMW has introduced humanoid robots at its Leipzig plant to assist with battery assembly. The wheeled robots operate using NVIDIA technology, signalling a shift from experimental prototypes to large-scale industrial deployment.
That’s all for this week’s Pasar Pulse. Want more insights? Stay tuned to our site or subscribe via email!
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