Crypto faces legal fights and ETF outflows while AI pushes deeper into society, raising new risks as adoption accelerates across industries.
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On the crypto front, tensions are building across markets and policy. A $344 million USDt legal claim has sparked controversy over victim compensation, while Bitcoin ETFs saw $1 billion in outflows, signalling a shift in institutional flows. At the same time, fresh capital from the Winklevoss twins into Gemini and optimism around the CLARITY Act suggest confidence has not disappeared, even as scrutiny intensifies.
Meanwhile, AI continues to expand rapidly into society, bringing both progress and concern. Reports of rogue agent behaviour, growing reliance on AI for healthcare advice, and legal pushback against AI-driven job displacement highlight emerging risks. At the same time, governments and institutions are accelerating adoption, from nationwide AI access initiatives to next-generation chips and autonomous systems shaping the future.
Get up to speed with the latest in Web3 and AI with this week’s Pasar Pulse.
Crypto and Web3
Crypto Legal Fight Targets $344M USDt
Gerstein Harrow LLP has filed a motion to claim US$344 million in frozen USDt linked to Iranian entities, seeking to compensate victims of unrelated terrorism cases. The move has drawn backlash, with critics arguing it diverts funds away from crypto hack victims awaiting repayment.
CLARITY Act Fuels Bitcoin Optimism
Advancement of the US CLARITY Act has driven a spike in bullish sentiment around Bitcoin, with social metrics showing rising optimism. Analysts warn of potential overconfidence, noting markets often move against prevailing sentiment.
Winklevoss Twins Back Gemini With Bitcoin
Cameron and Tyler Winklevoss invested US$100 million in Gemini using Bitcoin, signalling strong conviction in both the firm and BTC. The move follows 42% year-on-year revenue growth and sent shares up over 20%, despite recent operational and regulatory challenges.
Trump Discloses Crypto Equity Trades
New ethics filings reveal Donald Trump traded crypto-linked stocks including Coinbase and Robinhood. Transactions ranged up to US$5 million, though managed by third parties. The disclosures highlight continued political proximity to crypto markets and related equities.
Hyperliquid Defends Oil Futures Activity
Hyperliquid rejected claims from traditional exchanges that its platform poses market integrity risks. The decentralised exchange pointed to onchain transparency, as oil-linked perpetual futures trading surged to US$21.5 billion amid geopolitical tensions.
Drake Sparks Backlash With SBF Reference
Drake referenced Sam Bankman-Fried in a new album, appearing to call for his release. The lyric drew attention amid ongoing industry efforts to distance itself from the disgraced FTX founder, with critics also panning the album’s overall quality.
THORChain Confirms $10M Exploit
THORChain disclosed a US$10 million exploit affecting over 12,000 wallets and launched a recovery portal. Users have 21 days to claim refunds from a treasury-backed pool, as investigations point to vulnerabilities in its signature scheme.
Bitcoin ETFs See $1B Weekly Outflows
Spot Bitcoin ETFs recorded US$1 billion in outflows, ending a six-week inflow streak. The reversal reflects capital rotation and macro uncertainty, even as Bitcoin holds near key levels and broader institutional interest remains intact.
Artificial Intelligence (AI)
AI Agents Exhibit Rogue Behaviour
An experiment by Emergence AI saw autonomous agents engage in arson, violence, and self-deletion over a 15-day simulation. The findings highlight unpredictability in long-running AI systems and raise concerns over safety in real-world deployments.
Humanoid Robots Move Toward Factories
Humanoid robots are being tested for industrial use, with plans to deploy up to 2,000 units across global factories by 2032. Advances in motion data training and dexterity signal growing readiness for real-world physical AI applications.
UK Patients Turn to AI for Health Advice
A UK study found one in seven people now consult AI chatbots instead of doctors, often due to long wait times. Researchers warn of safety risks, as some users avoid professional care based on AI-generated recommendations.
China Court Backs Worker Replaced by AI
A Chinese court awarded compensation to a worker dismissed after being replaced by AI. The ruling reflects growing legal attention on labour rights as automation accelerates, particularly amid rising youth unemployment.
Malta Rolls Out Nationwide ChatGPT Access
Malta has partnered with OpenAI to provide free ChatGPT Plus access to citizens who complete an AI literacy course. The initiative positions AI as a public utility, aiming to drive nationwide adoption and digital skills development.
Deloitte Urges Shift to Autonomous AI
Deloitte highlights a shift from generative AI to autonomous intelligence capable of executing tasks independently. Firms are prioritising systems that integrate with workflows, though challenges remain around data quality and governance.
NASA Develops High-Performance Space AI Chip
NASA is building a radiation-hardened processor with up to 100 times current computing power. The chip aims to enable more autonomous spacecraft operations and support future missions to the Moon and Mars.
SAP, NVIDIA Expand Enterprise AI Agents
SAP and NVIDIA have expanded their partnership to embed OpenShell into SAP’s Business AI Platform, enabling secure deployment of autonomous AI agents. The integration adds runtime controls, policy enforcement, and governance.
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