House Democrats Introduce MEME Act to Regulate Political Meme Coins

Congressman Sam Liccardo has introduced the MEME Act, aiming to ban political meme coins like the TRUMP token and impose penalties on officials involved in their promotion. The bill seeks to prevent U.S. leaders from using cryptocurrencies for personal gain and requires Trump to return profits from the TRUMP token launch. Despite gaining 12 Democratic co-sponsors, the proposal faces challenges due to a lack of bipartisan support, particularly from the pro-crypto Republican Party, amid growing concerns over crypto scams and political corruption.

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OpenAI to Launch GPT-4.5 for Plus Subscribers Next Week

OpenAI CEO Sam Altman announced that GPT-4.5 will launch for Plus tier subscribers next week, describing it as the first model that feels like conversing with a thoughtful person. The rollout is limited by GPU availability, prompting plans to significantly increase GPU inventory. While GPT-4.5 may not dominate benchmarks, it offers a unique intelligence experience, marking it as the last non-chain-of-thought model before the integration of various technologies in GPT-5.

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Sam Bankman-Fried Breaks Silence on Social Media After Two Years in Prison

Sam Bankman-Fried, the former FTX CEO serving a 25-year sentence for a major crypto scam, has resurfaced on social media after two years, sharing insights on employee dismissals and corporate challenges. His posts sparked debates about his access to social media from prison and raised questions about potential legal strategies for a presidential pardon, as his family seeks relief through connections in the Republican Party. Following his tweets, the FTT token saw a brief surge but faced pressure amid a broader market downturn.

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Sam Bankman-Fried Discusses Employee Terminations and Corporate Management Challenges

Sam Bankman-Fried returned to Twitter after a two-year hiatus, discussing the complexities of employee terminations and corporate management. He expressed that firing employees is challenging and often not their fault, highlighting mismatches between company needs and employee roles. Bankman-Fried noted industry-wide hiring issues, emphasizing that retaining employees who lack effective management or clear roles is unproductive.

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Charles Hoskinson Predicts Arrival of Artificial General Intelligence in Three to Five Years

Charles Hoskinson, founder of Cardano, predicts that Artificial General Intelligence (AGI) could emerge within three to five years, highlighting significant advancements in AI technology. He cites upcoming releases like Grok 3, Llama 4, and OpenAI’s GPT-4.5 and GPT-5 as pivotal developments that will enhance AI capabilities and applications. Industry experts, including OpenAI’s CEO Sam Altman, share this optimism, suggesting that AGI could soon transform workplaces.

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FTX Repayments and Their Potential Impact on the Crypto Market

FTX has begun repaying $1.2B to over 1,500 former users, potentially restoring confidence in the crypto market and benefiting meme coins like Best Wallet Token. The total payouts could exceed $16B, impacting market dynamics as investors react to the ongoing recovery from the exchange’s collapse. The Best Wallet Token presale has raised over $10.2M, offering exclusive benefits to holders, including voting rights and lower transaction fees. Investors are advised to conduct thorough research and consult financial advisors before investing in this volatile market.

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FTX Creditors Start Receiving 1.2 Billion Dollars in Initial Payouts

FTX creditors have started receiving $1.2 billion in initial payouts through Kraken, with those holding claims under $50,000 receiving full reimbursements plus 9% interest. Larger claimants, owed over $50,000, will wait until 2025 for their distributions, as the bankruptcy process continues following the company’s collapse in November 2022 due to financial mismanagement and fraud.

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Clemency Hopes for Sam Bankman-Fried Amidst Pardon Process Challenges

Following President Trump’s pardon of Ross Ulbricht, former FTX CEO Sam Bankman-Fried’s family is exploring clemency options, though experts suggest his chances are slim due to a significant backlog in the pardon process and the lack of a clear, merit-based system. Many white-collar convicts face challenges in accessing financial services post-release, as they often encounter debanking issues without federal protections. The White Collar Support Group advocates for fairer policies to ensure access to banking for those with conviction histories.

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OpenAI Plans GPT-5 Launch Within Weeks to Enhance User Experience

OpenAI CEO Sam Altman announced that GPT-5 is set to launch within “weeks or months,” aiming to simplify AI offerings and enhance user experience. The new model will integrate the o3 technology and be available across various subscription tiers, with free users receiving standard access and Plus/Pro subscribers enjoying higher intelligence levels. Prior to GPT-5, OpenAI will release GPT-4.5, marking a shift towards a unified system for diverse tasks.

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The Unpredictable Impact of New AI Developments on the Stock Market

The emergence of DeepSeek’s AI chatbot has sparked discussions about its impressive capabilities and low development cost, raising questions about the sustainability of current AI investments. As parallels to the late-1990s dotcom bubble emerge, concerns grow that widespread AI adoption may diminish competitive advantages, potentially leading to a market saturated with low returns. Despite Nvidia’s substantial profits, the future economics of the AI revolution remain uncertain.

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Bitcoin Adoption Surpasses Internet and Mobile Phones According to BlackRock Report

Bitcoin adoption is rapidly surpassing that of the internet and mobile phones, driven by demographic trends, economic shifts, and advancements in digital asset infrastructure. Younger generations are leading this trend, favoring Bitcoin as a decentralized asset amid rising inflation and geopolitical tensions.BlackRock’s spot Bitcoin ETF, IBIT, has gained significant traction, with nearly $38 billion in inflows, making it the largest of its kind. The firm recently launched a Canadian dollar-denominated version, further promoting Bitcoin exposure as direct investment remains complex for many.

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Circle donates to Trump’s inaugural committee alongside major tech firms

Circle has donated 1 million USDC to President-elect Donald Trump’s inaugural committee, joining Ripple, Coinbase, and Kraken in support. The Trump-Vance Inaugural Committee aims to raise $150 million for inauguration events, with contributions already surpassing this goal. Trump’s inauguration is scheduled for January 20, 2025, at the US Capitol, and the incoming administration is expected to create a more favorable regulatory environment for crypto assets.

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