Dubai’s Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (VARA) has cautioned investors about the rising popularity and inherent risks of memecoins. VARA deems these digital assets “highly speculative,” warning of significant potential for financial losses. This alert reflects growing concerns about the memecoin market, mirroring recent statements from the US SEC highlighting the speculative nature and potential pitfalls associated with these investments. The VARA’s warning urges the Dubai investor community to exercise extreme caution when considering investing in memecoins, emphasizing the need for thorough research and understanding of the associated risks before engaging with this volatile asset class.
Gadget360
The upcoming Nintendo Switch 2 is generating significant buzz, evidenced by the swift sell-out of pre-orders across major US retailers like Walmart, Best Buy, and Target. Set to launch on June 5th with a price tag of $450, the new console experienced high demand, leading to initial technical difficulties for some users attempting to secure their orders. Despite these challenges, many Nintendo enthusiasts successfully placed their pre-orders, sharing their experiences on social media platforms. The rapid depletion of pre-order stock underscores the considerable anticipation surrounding the Switch 2’s release, suggesting strong initial sales for Nintendo. The company has yet to comment on the pre-order success and any potential impact on launch availability.
GitHub CEO Thomas Dohmke Announces Resignation, to Leave by End of 2025
GitHub CEO Thomas Dohmke is stepping down after almost four years at the helm, citing his desire to return to founding startups. His resignation, announced Monday, marks a significant shift for the platform. Following Dohmke’s departure, Microsoft, GitHub’s parent company, will exert greater control. GitHub’s leadership team will now directly report to Microsoft’s CoreAI division, spearheaded by former Meta executive Jay Parikh. This organizational change signals Microsoft’s increasing integration of GitHub into its broader AI strategy and a closer alignment with its core technologies.
Crypto Scams Likely Set New Record in 2024, Helped by AI: Chainalysis
Chainalysis reports that cryptocurrency scam revenue likely reached a record high in 2024, driven by the growth of “pig butchering” scams and the use of generative AI. Pig butchering, where scammers build relationships before defrauding victims, saw a nearly 40% revenue increase compared to the previous year. The overall revenue from crypto scams in 2024 is estimated to be at least $9.9 billion. The integration of generative AI is likely playing a significant role in the increase, enabling more sophisticated and persuasive scam tactics. This combination of social engineering and advanced technology presents a growing challenge in the fight against cryptocurrency fraud.
Grand Theft Auto 5, Batman: Arkham Knight and More Are Leaving PS Plus Game Catalog Soon
PlayStation Plus subscribers face a library shake-up in May as Sony removes over 20 games from its Game and Classics Catalogs. While new titles are regularly added, a selection is also rotated out.
Among the notable departures from the Game Catalog are the blockbuster Grand Theft Auto 5, the fast-paced action title Ghostrunner, and the superhero adventure Infamous Second Son. The Classics Catalog will also see a reduction, losing some first-party games originally released on the PlayStation 3.
This removal occurs alongside the addition of new games to the PS Plus service each month, making it crucial for subscribers to check the leaving list and prioritize playing games before they disappear.
Google Expands AI Mode in Search to India, Adds Support for Voice and Image Inputs
Google is bringing its AI-powered search experience, previously exclusive to the US, to India. This marks the first international expansion of the feature, initially unveiled in March and rolled out to all US users in May.
While the Indian version won’t include the real-time voice conversation feature, “Search Live,” users will benefit from AI integration with Google Lens. This allows for image-based search queries, enhancing the visual search capabilities within the Google Search platform. The expansion demonstrates Google’s commitment to making AI-powered search more accessible globally, starting with India.
ESMA Proposes Staff Assessment Guidelines for Crypto Firms Under MiCA Regulations
The European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA) is developing competence requirements for employees within the burgeoning crypto industry. Aligning with the EU’s MiCA regulations, ESMA’s proposed guidelines aim to ensure a baseline level of expertise amongst crypto professionals.
This week, ESMA released its proposal, soliciting feedback from crypto asset service providers, investors, and traditional financial institutions interacting with crypto. The proposal details specific criteria, including minimum qualifications and relevant work experience, which crypto firms should consider when hiring staff.
By establishing these minimum competency standards, ESMA hopes to foster greater investor protection and market integrity within the evolving crypto landscape. The initiative seeks to professionalize the sector and build trust by ensuring individuals handling crypto assets possess the necessary knowledge and skills.
Alogic Clarity 27 4K Monitor Review: Excellent Design, Great Performance
Alogic, an Australian electronics brand, introduced its Clarity series of high-end monitors to the Indian market in October. This series features four models, with the top-tier offering a 5K resolution display with touch functionality.
Alogic focuses on delivering cost-effective, color-accurate monitors that combine aesthetic design with rich features. I recently tested the Alogic Clarity 27 4K monitor, the entry-level model in the Clarity series.
Google Earth Gets Upgraded With Historical Street View Imagery, AI-Driven Insights to Arrive Soon
To celebrate its 20th anniversary on June 10th, Google Earth is adding a historical Street View imagery feature. This new functionality, previously introduced to Google Maps, allows users to explore how neighborhoods have changed over time by accessing images from different years. This addition enables users to witness the evolution of landscapes and built environments directly within the Google Earth platform. The company announced this update in a blog post marking two decades of Google Earth, showcasing its commitment to providing an immersive and informative experience.
Binance CEO Changpeng Zhao and co-founder He Yi have dismissed rumors suggesting the world’s largest cryptocurrency exchange is up for sale. Both executives have publicly refuted the claims, asserting Binance is not seeking a buyer.
The origin of the speculation remains unclear, but Zhao believes a competitor in Asia is responsible for spreading the misinformation. Zhao initially addressed the rumors on X (formerly Twitter), firmly denying any intention to sell the company. The denial comes amidst Binance’s continued position as the leading crypto exchange, based on trading volume.
