🧠Scientists Develop 'Superhuman'

☀️Good morning. It's Friday, Feb. 14, and we're covering, Shein’s UK IPO Delayed After US ‘De Minimis’ Repeal, TikTok Returns To U.S. App Stores After Trump Grants Ban Extension, India And U.S. Move Toward Trade Deal After Trump-Modi Talks, and much more. First time reading? Sign up to get this newsletter: Sign up here.  

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MARKETS

Cryptocurrency Prices by Market Cap

• The global cryptocurrency market cap today is $3.21 Trillion, a 0.81% increase in the last 24 hours.

• The total crypto market volume over the last 24 hours is $96.58B, which makes a 27.14% decrease.

• The total volume in Defi is currently $7.85B, 8.13% of the total crypto market 24-hours.

• The volume of all stablecoins is now $88.51B, which is 91.64% of the total market 24-hour volume.

• Bitcoin’s dominance is currently 59.91%, an increase of 0.05% over the day.

Bitcoin Struggles Below $100K, While Ether Hovers Near $2,700

Bitcoin is struggling to break past the $100,000 mark, trading around $95,761, as inflation concerns and market uncertainty weigh on its price. Analysts point to the 50-day moving average as a key resistance level, with potential further declines to $93,000. Bitcoin ETFs also saw $251 million in net outflows, adding to bearish sentiment. Ether, meanwhile, is trading at $2,645 and remains stuck between $2,500 and $2,700. Analysts warn of a potential "death cross," signaling further downside risks. (Read Deeper)

BUSINESS & FINANCE

Shein’s UK IPO Delayed After US ‘De Minimis’ Repeal

Shein’s highly anticipated London IPO is now expected to be pushed to the second half of 2025, following Donald Trump’s move to close the U.S. de minimis duty exemption. The de minimis rule had allowed Shein to import low-cost goods into the U.S. without paying tariffs on shipments under $800. Its removal threatens Shein’s profitability in its biggest market, potentially forcing price increases.

Takeaway: The IPO delay follows other setbacks, including a valuation cut to around $50 billion down from $66 billion in 2023. Shein had initially targeted a London listing by Easter, pending regulatory approvals in the UK and China. The crackdown on de minimis is part of Trump’s broader 10% tariff hike on Chinese imports. (Read Deeper)

Arm Expands Into Chip Sales, Competing With Customers

Arm, traditionally known for licensing CPU designs to companies like Apple and Nvidia, is now actively recruiting from its customers and competing with them as it moves toward selling its own chips. The UK-based firm has reportedly sought executives from licensees and is competing with Qualcomm to supply data center CPUs to Meta.

Takeaway: While Arm CEO Rene Haas previously stated that the company does not build chips, recruitment efforts and recent business deals suggest otherwise. Arm is also involved in a major AI chip project with SoftBank and Broadcom, potentially worth $30 billion. These moves could shift Arm's role from a neutral technology provider to a direct competitor in the semiconductor industry. (Read Deeper)

TECHNOLOGY & SCIENCE

TikTok Returns To U.S. App Stores After Trump Grants Ban Extension

TikTok is once again available for download in the U.S. on Apple and Google app stores after former President Donald Trump postponed enforcement of the ban until April 5. The app, which briefly went dark last month, was restored following assurances from the Trump administration that Apple and Google would not face liability for allowing downloads. Among potential buyers floated are Oracle co-founder Larry Ellison, Elon Musk, and billionaire investors like Frank McCourt and Kevin O’Leary.

Takeaway: The ban, originally signed into law by former President Joe Biden, requires TikTok’s Chinese owner, ByteDance, to sell its U.S. operations to avoid an outright prohibition. While both China and TikTok deny allegations of security risks, the Supreme Court upheld the law. Trump, who had previously supported banning TikTok, has since warmed to the platform, citing its impact on his campaign and suggesting potential compromises for its ownership. (Read Deeper)

Scientists Develop 'Superhuman' Vision Systems For Robots

Scientists are developing a new "superhuman" vision system for robots using radio waves, allowing them to see through smoke, rain, and even around corners. A team at the University of Pennsylvania, led by Prof. Mingmin Zhao, has designed a robot with a spinning array that emits radio waves and uses AI to create a 3D map of its environment. Unlike traditional optical cameras and Lidar, this system can function in conditions where visibility is otherwise impaired.

Takeaway: The technology has potential applications in search-and-rescue missions, autonomous vehicles, and security, including detecting concealed weapons. Other researchers, like Fabio da Silva from Wavsens, are working on non-spinning radio wave systems that function similarly to echolocation. Some experts highlight the possible military applications of radio-based vision, such as detecting movement inside buildings or identifying hidden threats. (Read Deeper)

AROUND DE WORLD & POLITICS

India And U.S. Move Toward Trade Deal After Trump-Modi Talks

India and the U.S. have agreed to work toward a trade deal and resolve tariff disputes following a meeting between President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Washington. India has pledged to buy more U.S. oil, gas, and military equipment, while both countries aim to double bilateral trade by 2030. While the agreements lower trade tensions, analysts predict continued friction over tariffs, with both nations prioritizing their own economic interests.

Takeaway: India has started reducing tariffs on U.S. goods and aims to increase energy purchases from the U.S. to $25 billion from $15 billion last year. Trump insists on "reciprocal tariffs" and has promised to match India's high tariff rates. Talks on F-35 stealth fighter jets for India are still in the proposal stage. Both nations reaffirmed security cooperation in the Indo-Pacific, signaling a joint strategy against China's growing influence. (Read Deeper)

Japan’s Biggest IPO Since SoftBank: JX Advanced Metals Aims For $3 Billion

JX Advanced Metals Corp., a key global supplier of semiconductor materials, is set to raise approximately ¥460 billion ($3 billion) in Japan’s largest IPO since SoftBank’s 2018 listing. The company, a unit of Eneos Holdings Inc., has set an indicative share price of ¥862, with final pricing scheduled for March 10 and a Tokyo Stock Exchange debut on March 19. Japan’s largest oil refiner, Eneos, is selling up to 534.9 million shares in JX, using the proceeds for shareholder returns and investments in decarbonization.

Why It Matters: The listing surpasses last year’s Tokyo Metro Co. IPO and underscores Japan’s strong IPO market, which outperformed the region in 2024. JX controls 60% of the global market for sputtering target materials, essential for semiconductor manufacturing, making this IPO a key indicator of investor appetite for chip-related stocks. The IPO reflects growing demand for semiconductors, a critical sector driving AI advancements. (Read Deeper)

ENTERTAINMENT & SPORTS

Kanye West And Bianca Censori Are Still Together, Rep Confirms Amid Breakup Rumors

Kanye West and Bianca Censori are not breaking up, despite recent rumors. Their rep, Milo Yiannopoulos, confirmed that they are still together and preparing to celebrate Valentine’s Day in Los Angeles. He dismissed the breakup speculation as yet another false report. The couple, who secretly married in late 2022, have been in the spotlight recently, especially after Bianca’s revealing Grammys 2025 outfit, which Kanye later defended. (Read Deeper)

Barron Trump Remains An Enigma At NYU, Despite Republican Mythology

While Republicans have painted Barron Trump as a sharp political mind, a charismatic figure, and even a “ladies’ man,” his NYU classmates say they barely see him on campus. The 6’7” freshman is rarely involved in college life, with one student calling him an “oddity on campus.” Barron, who commutes from Trump Tower via motorcade and is constantly surrounded by Secret Service, keeps a low profile, attending class and then heading home. One student recalled inviting him to play basketball, but Barron appeared hesitant, possibly due to security restrictions. (Read Deeper)

PODCAST(WHAT WE ARE LISTENING TO)

• Improving an investing operating system with Vitaliy Katsenelson, a well-known investor and author, would likely involve incorporating his insights and methodologies into various aspects of investment analysis and decision-making. ( Listen )

EXTRA BREVITI

• Nissan and Honda's $60 billion merger talks, which could have created one of the world’s largest automakers, fell apart in just over a month due to a mix of corporate pride. (Read More)

• Xi to Chair Symposium with Top Chinese Business Leaders, Including Jack Ma. (Read More)

• Trump Pushes for Peace, But Ukrainians Fear the Consequences. (Read More)