😲India Overtakes China As Smartphone Supplier

Good morning. It's Tuesday, Jul. 29, and we're covering, India Surpasses China In U.S. Smartphone Exports As Apple Accelerates Shift, Microsoft Launches AI-Powered Copilot Mode In Edge Browser, Taiwan President Cancels U.S. Stopover As Trump Eyes China Trade Deal, and much more. First time reading? Sign up to get this newsletter: Sign up here.

We always Listen and respond to questions and feedback, email us at [email protected]  

MARKETS

Cryptocurrency Prices by Market Cap

• The global cryptocurrency market cap today is $3.91 Trillion, a 1.18% decrease in the last 24 hours.

• The total crypto market volume over the last 24 hours is $171.91B, which makes a 9.64% increase.

• The total volume in Defi is currently $43.95B, 25.56% of the total crypto market 24-hours.

• The volume of all stablecoins is now $165.83B, which is 96.46% of the total market 24-hour volume.

• Bitcoin’s dominance is currently 60.50%, an increase of 0.56% over the day.

Ethereum Investment Products Smash 2024 Record With $7.8B Inflows

Ethereum investment products have drawn a staggering $7.79 billion in inflows so far in 2024—already surpassing the previous annual total. Last week alone brought in $1.59 billion, marking the second-largest weekly inflow on record. Bitcoin products saw $175 million in outflows despite price gains, signaling a notable investor rotation into Ethereum and other altcoins. Solana and XRP also saw strong demand, with $311 million and $189 million in inflows, respectively. (Read Deeper)

BUSINESS & FINANCE

India Surpasses China In U.S. Smartphone Exports As Apple Accelerates Shift

In a major supply chain shake-up, India has surpassed China as the largest exporter of smartphones to the U.S., according to new Canalys data. India’s share of U.S.-bound smartphones surged to 44% in Q2 2025, up from just 13% last year. China, once dominant, dropped to 25%, while Vietnam climbed to 30%. Driving this change is Apple’s accelerated effort to diversify its supply chain, moving significant iPhone production to India amid rising trade tensions and tariff uncertainty under Trump-era policies. Apple’s iPhone shipments dropped 11% year-over-year in Q2, and its stock is down 14% YTD amid fears over tariffs and growing AI competition.

Why It Matters: A symbolic blow to China’s manufacturing dominance. India isn’t just an alternative, it’s now a major manufacturing hub. Reducing exposure to Chinese tariffs could shape global tech dynamics for years. ( Read Deeper )

Nvidia Orders 300,000 More H20 Chips From TSMC Amid Surging China Demand

Nvidia has placed a major order for 300,000 H20 GPUs with chipmaker TSMC, reversing earlier plans to rely on existing inventory—thanks to unexpectedly strong demand from China. The H20 chips, a downgraded version of Nvidia’s AI processors made to comply with U.S. export restrictions, were developed specifically for the Chinese market. Despite limitations, they've gained traction among Chinese tech giants like Tencent, ByteDance, and Alibaba. But regulatory uncertainty lingers, as Nvidia still awaits full export license approvals from the U.S. Commerce Department.

Why It Matters: The H20 is no longer just a workaround—it’s now a geopolitical chess piece. As the U.S.-China tech war rages on, Nvidia is navigating demand, diplomacy, and regulation to stay at the center of the global AI race. (Read Deeper)

TECHNOLOGY & SCIENCE

Microsoft Launches AI-Powered Copilot Mode In Edge Browser

Microsoft has unveiled “Copilot Mode” in its Edge browser—a new AI-powered tool designed to make web browsing smarter, faster, and more intuitive. The feature allows users to organize searches by topic, compare results across multiple tabs, and even use voice commands all from a unified chat-style interface. It combines search, chat, and navigation into a single AI experience. Users can optionally grant Copilot deeper access to browsing context (like history and credentials) to help with actions like bookings or managing online tasks—though only when enabled.

Why It Matters: This is Microsoft’s boldest attempt yet to integrate AI into everyday browsing. As AI becomes the new interface for the web, browsers are no longer just portals—they’re personal assistants. (Read Deeper)

Google Chrome Adds AI-Powered Store Summaries For Smarter Shopping

Google is rolling out AI-generated store reviews in Chrome to help U.S. shoppers make more informed decisions. A new icon next to the address bar now reveals AI summaries about a store’s product quality, pricing, returns, and customer service—powered by review data from platforms like Trustpilot, Yotpo, and Bazaarvoice. The feature reflects growing pressure on Google to defend Chrome’s dominance as new AI browsers emerge and to position itself more aggressively in e-commerce.

Why It Matters: As competition intensifies in the browser and shopping experience space, Google is betting big on AI to retain users and edge closer to Amazon in retail search. These tools could shape how we browse, shop, and decide what’s worth buying.

AROUND DE WORLD & POLITICS

Taiwan President Cancels U.S. Stopover As Trump Eyes China Trade Deal

Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te has scrapped a planned overseas trip after the Trump administration declined to approve his stopovers in New York and Dallas—moves that risk upsetting delicate trade talks with China and a potential Trump-Xi summit. Lai had intended to transit through the U.S. en route to diplomatic allies in Latin America, but his office now says he’ll remain in Taiwan to focus on typhoon recovery and tariff negotiations.

Why It Matters: China successfully leveraged its influence to block a symbolic visit, highlighting growing U.S. caution. Lai faces criticism at home for appearing diplomatically sidelined and politically vulnerable. With a Trump-Xi summit in play, Taiwan’s strategic value may be at risk of becoming a bargaining chip. (Read Deeper)

Gunman Kills 4 And Himself In Midtown Manhattan Office Tower Shooting

A deadly shooting rocked Midtown Manhattan Monday evening, as a gunman opened fire inside an office tower at 345 Park Avenue—home to Blackstone, the NFL, and KPMG—killing four people including a police officer, before taking his own life. The shooter, 27-year-old Shane Tamura, drove from Nevada and entered the building with a rifle, sparking panic and lockdowns across nearby firms. A motive remains unclear.

Why It Matters: This rare mass shooting in the heart of Manhattan has shaken one of the city’s busiest business districts. Among the victims were a police officer and a Blackstone employee, with several others injured. The incident raises questions around building security, mental health, and gun control as investigators dig into the gunman’s cross-country trip and possible motives. (Read Deeper)

ENTERTAINMENT & SPORTS

Warner Bros Discovery To Split: Studios And News Go Separate Ways

Warner Bros Discovery is breaking itself apart, less than four years after one of the biggest media mergers in history. The company will split into two separate public businesses by mid-2026. Warner Bros will house HBO, DC Studios, and the Warner Bros film/TV studios—focused squarely on streaming and entertainment. Discovery Global will manage CNN, TNT Sports, and Discovery+—the slower-growth cable and news operations. The move comes as media giants struggle to balance fast-growing digital platforms with the steep decline in traditional cable TV. (Read Deeper)

Newcastle Open Talks To Sign Southampton’s Aaron Ramsdale

Newcastle United have opened negotiations with Southampton for England goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale, aiming to bring him in either on loan or a permanent deal. Southampton prefer a permanent transfer, likely above the £18M they paid Arsenal in 2024. Ramsdale, 27, made 30 Premier League appearances last season but couldn’t prevent Southampton’s relegation after finishing with just 12 points. This comes after Newcastle’s failed attempt to sign Burnley’s James Trafford, with Man City swooping in. Ramsdale would provide competition for Nick Pope, while reuniting with Eddie Howe, his former manager at Bournemouth. (Read Deeper)

PODCAST(WHAT WE ARE LISTENING TO)

• What makes humans special: The "Hand of God" move. (Listen)

EXTRA BREVITI

• Jack Dorsey’s Offline Messaging App ‘Bitchat’ Hits the App Store. (Read More)

• Ray-Ban Meta Smart Glasses Revenue Triples, Says EssilorLuxottica. (Read More)

• Waymo is expanding its autonomous ride-hailing service to Dallas in 2025. (Read More)

• Figma Targets $18.8B Valuation in U.S. IPO After Raising Price Range. (Read More)