Gen Z drives stablecoin growth, Bitcoin demand weakens, AI safety tightens, and data centre expansion sparks resistance worldwide.
What’s up, Pasar Crew?
This week, both crypto and AI are colliding with real-world pressures. From inflation-hit economies turning to stablecoins, to governments wrestling with how far to rein in artificial intelligence, this week’s developments show how quickly emerging technologies are moving from the margins to the mainstream.
In the crypto scene, Venezuela’s reliance on stablecoins continues to grow, while Brazil’s largest private bank is now formally recommending Bitcoin as an inflation hedge. Institutional interest remains visible through steady ETF inflows, expanding bank–crypto partnerships, and fresh tokenisation ambitions from countries like Pakistan.
Meanwhile, AI’s reach is broadening but it’s also drawing scrutiny. OpenAI’s GPT-5.2 marks another leap towards professional and agentic use, even as AI-generated errors prompt product pullbacks and political backlash. From classrooms in El Salvador to regulatory battles in the US, the question is no longer whether AI will be deployed, but who controls it.
Get up to speed with the latest in Web3 and AI with this week’s Pasar Pulse.
Crypto and Web3
Brazil’s Gen Z Drives Surge in Stablecoins
Brazilian investors under the age of 24 are favouring assets such as stablecoins and tokenised fixed-income products. In 2025, Mercado Bitcoin distributed approximately US$325 million in digital assets as investors sought to protect their wealth amidst economic uncertainty.
Address Error Leads to US$50M USDT Scam
A crypto user lost nearly US$50 million after mistakenly copying a poisoned lookalike wallet address from their transaction history. The attacker exploited the visual similarity of the address, and the stolen funds were routed through Tornado Cash.
Bitcoin Demand Weakens, Analysts Flag Potential Bear
Analysts warn that Bitcoin may have entered a bear market after demand growth fell below its long-term trend in October 2025, and Bitcoin’s price has dropped below its 365-day moving average, a key technical support level.
Ethereum Plans ‘Glamsterdam’ and ‘Hegota’ Upgrades
Ethereum developers have announced two major upcoming upgrades; the Glamsterdam upgrade may focus on improving gas efficiency and scalability, while the Hegota upgrade may improve execution-layer optimisations, though both scopes have yet to be decided.
Marshall Islands Trials Stellar-Based Token
The Marshall Islands is testing a Stellar-based digital token, USDM1, to distribute universal basic income to citizens. The sovereign bond-backed token generates yield and offers a digital alternative for the cash-reliant nation.
Hyundai Buildings Evacuated After Bomb Threat
Two Hyundai buildings in Seoul were evacuated following a bomb threat accompanied by a demand for 13 BTC; no explosives were found after a thorough search. The incident follows a series of similar extortion attempts targeting South Korean companies.
US Lawmakers Introduce Crypto Tax Reform Bill
Bipartisan lawmakers in the US House of Representatives have introduced the Digital Asset PARITY Tax Act. The bill proposes a US$200 capital gains safe harbour for stablecoin transactions and a five-year tax deferral on staking and mining rewards.
Brooklyn Man Indicted in US$16M Scam
Ronald Spektor has been charged with stealing US$16 million from more than 100 Coinbase users by posing as customer support staff. Authorities have recovered approximately US$105,000 in cash and US$400,000 in cryptocurrency.
Artificial Intelligence (AI)
OpenAI, Anthropic Roll Out Teen AI Safety Measures
OpenAI and Anthropic introduced new safeguards aimed at protecting younger users. The former updated its Model Spec to prioritise teen safety, while the latter developed detection systems that identify underage users through conversations.
Europol Warns of Robot-Enabled Crime by 2035
A new Europol report warns that widespread deployment of autonomous robots could enable new forms of crime within the next decade, and law enforcement agencies may struggle to distinguish deliberate criminal behaviour from autonomous system errors.
Google Gemini Adds Verification for AI Video Content
Google has expanded its SynthID watermark detection to Gemini, enabling users to verify whether videos were generated using Google’s AI tools. The system can identify specific timestamps where the imperceptible watermark appears.
Global Data Centre Investment Reaches US$61B
Global investment in data centres surged to a record US$61 billion in 2025, driven by accelerating demand for AI infrastructure. Concerns over sustainability remain, particularly as OpenAI is projected to incur losses of up to US$143 billion through 2029.
AI Accelerates Marketing Agency Production Cycles
Marketing agencies such as WPP are increasingly integrating AI into their workflows to ensure brand accuracy through fine-tuned models. As automation accelerates production, agencies are shifting focus towards brand governance and new emerging roles.
Communities Push Back Against AI Data Centres
Local communities across multiple regions are blocking or delaying nearly US$98 billion worth of proposed data centre projects, and civil rights groups have begun legal action against some developments over pollution.
UK Actors Vote to Reject AI Digital Scanning on Set
Members of the UK performing arts union voted to refuse digital body scanning during productions, citing concerns over unauthorised AI use of their likeness. Prominent actors argue that digital replicas should be protected by contractual safeguards similar to those governing nudity.
Zara Tests Generative AI to Streamline Product Imagery
Zara is trialling generative AI tools that adapt photographs of real models into multiple outfit variations. The approach reduces the need for repeated photoshoots and accelerates global product launches.
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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