Coldquanta Uses Cold Atoms To Build A Qauntum Computer

There are multiple ways of building a quantum computer, from superconducting and photonics to topological and ion trap, many backed by such big names as IBM, Google, Microsoft and Honeywell. However, ColdQuanta is betting that a modality that its founders and engineers have been working on for 15 years – cold atom – will establish…

Cryptocurrency Is Booming in Nigeria Despite The Banking Ban

Nigeria’s regulators tried to crack down on cryptocurrency. Now, a few months later, it’s clear their efforts haven’t worked. The nation is a prime example of how people will turn to crypto to cope with a struggling economy despite the prohibitive stance of the state. In February, the Central Bank of Nigeria ordered banks to…

Banque De France Has Finished CBDC Trial

Banque de France has successfully conducted its own central bank digital currency (CBDC) trial, with a blockchain platform for interbank settlement, CoinDesk reported. A statement from the bank said the pilot involved a settlement on a private blockchain, which U.K. startup SETL provided, of around 2 million euros (about $2.4 million), per CoinDesk. Banque de…

South Korea Unveils $450 Billion Push For Global Chipmaking Crown

South Korea unveiled ambitious plans to spend roughly $450 billion to build the world’s biggest chipmaking base over the next decade, joining China and the US in a global race to dominate the key technology. Samsung Electronics Co. and SK Hynix Inc. will lead more than 510 trillion won of investment in semiconductor research and…

China Is World’s First Country With Digital Currency

China’s leadership in the digital currency space is turning a larger spotlight on U.S. initiatives, but similar efforts stateside aren’t likely any time soon. With its entry into the still-sparsely populated world of central bank digital currency, China takes a society that already leans heavily on electronic payments and mainstreams it. This also gives the…

Iron Ore Giant Fortescue Bets On Green Hydrogen In Zero Carbon Push

Fortescue Metals Group, an iron ore heavyweight supporting carbon-intensive steelmaking, has dived into the green hydrogen business in a mad dash to achieve carbon neutrality by 2030. The world’s No. 4 iron ore producer plans to start making “zero-emission” hydrogen using renewable energy as early as 2023 for export to Japan and other energy-hungry economies….

Norway’s $6 Billion Company Aker Establishes Bitcoin Unit Seetee

Aker ASA, an Oslo-based $6 billion public company, announced today that it has established a dedicated unit to invest in Bitcoin. The newly established entity, Seetee will actively partner with other companies working in the Bitcoin ecosystem. According to the official press release, Seetee is initially capitalized with NOK 500 million ($58 million). Aker ASA…

Australia Taps Ethereum for Digital Dollar (AUD) Project

The Reserve Bank of Australia, the country’s central bank, is exploring the use of a central bank digital currency, a digital form of fiat currency issued by the state. The central bank is partnering with Commonwealth Bank, National Australia Bank, and Perpetual and ConsenSys Software on the project. Central bank digital currencies have been dominating…

The Pandemic Is Prompting Asian Countries to Adopt Blockchain

The Corona pandemic prompted many Asian countries to adopt blockchain technology to secure their data via the Internet against hackers and cyber thieves, according to a report from the Nikkei Asian Review. This increase in adoption comes as The Business Research Company said the global blockchain market is expected to hit $15.88 billion in 2023….

Financial Crisis Continues to Threaten Antwerp Diamond Industry

Antwerp traded a total of €33 billion in cut and uncut diamonds in 2019, 20% less than in 2018, and a figure reminiscent of the levels last seen in the financial crisis years of 2009-2010. The AWDC says it foresees no improvement this year, but recovery should be expected in 2021. Antwerp is not alone….

Gold Is The Third Most Popular Investment

People have confidence in the investment potential of gold but there are certain elements of mistrust as well that are acting as a barrier even as the yellow metal Gold is the third-most popular investment choice among retail investors, according to the latest consumer survey by the World Gold Council. “Gold is the third-most consistently…

The Fusion Energy Dream Is Inching Towards Reality

After decades of disappointingly slow but steady progress, the race for fusion energy dream is now fully on, with governments, scientific institutions and private enterprises pouring billions of dollars into this potentially world-altering technology. Fusion is the process that occurs in stars, such as our sun, when hydrogen atoms fuse together, producing helium — and…