🛰️SpaceX $1.5 Billion Security Deal

☀️Good morning. It's Monday, Jan 6, and we're covering, Microsoft To Invest $80 Billion In AI Data Centers, Italy In Talks With SpaceX For a $1.5 Billion Security Services Deal, Chinese Cyberattacks On Taiwan Government Double To 2.4 Million Daily In 2024, 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

• Today's global cryptocurrency market cap is $3.52 Trillion, a 0.94% increase in the last 24 hours.

• The total crypto market volume over the last 24 hours is $94.93B, which makes a 0.44% increase.

• The total volume in Defi is currently $8.48B, 8.93% of the total crypto market 24 hours.

• The volume of all stablecoins is now $85.41B, which is 89.97% of the total market 24-hour volume.

• Bitcoin’s dominance is currently 55.90%, an increase of 0.27% over the day.

BUSINESS & FINANCE

Microsoft To Invest $80 Billion In AI Data Centers

Microsoft plans to invest approximately $80 billion in fiscal 2025 to develop AI-enabled data centers for training AI models and deploying AI and cloud applications. This investment aligns with the surging demand for AI infrastructure, driven by the widespread adoption of artificial intelligence since OpenAI's launch of ChatGPT in 2022.

Takeaway: According to Microsoft Vice Chair and President Brad Smith, more than half of the investment will focus on the United States, reinforcing its leadership in the global AI race. In the first quarter of fiscal 2025, Microsoft’s capital expenditure rose 5.3% to $20 billion, reflecting its commitment to expanding AI and cloud capabilities. (Read Deeper)

Oil Prices Drop Amid Strong Dollar And Economic Data Concerns

Oil prices dropped on Monday, pulling back from nearly three-month highs, as a strong U.S. dollar and concerns over upcoming economic data weighed on sentiment. Brent crude futures fell by 21 cents, or 0.3%, to $76.3 per barrel, while U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude lost 19 cents, or 0.3%, settling at $73.77 per barrel. Investors are also looking ahead to the U.S. economic data, including the Federal Reserve’s meeting minutes and the December payrolls report, which could provide more insight into the U.S. rate outlook.

Takeaway: Oil had seen gains due to expectations of increased demand driven by colder weather and China's economic stimulus, concerns about the dollar's strength weighed on prices. A stronger dollar makes oil more expensive for foreign buyers, limiting upward pressure on the commodity. Ongoing sanctions on Iranian and Russian oil supplies have added uncertainty to the market, with disruptions expected to weigh on global supply. (Read Deeper)

TECHNOLOGY & SCIENCE

Italy In Talks With SpaceX For $1.5 Billion Security Services Deal

Italy is in advanced negotiations with SpaceX for a €1.5 billion ($1.55 billion) deal to provide secure telecommunications services to the government over five years. The agreement, approved by Italy's Intelligence Services and Defence Ministry, includes encrypted communications, military support in the Mediterranean, and satellite-based emergency response capabilities for natural disasters or terrorist attacks.

Takeaway: This follows Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s efforts to strengthen ties with tech leaders like Elon Musk. Italy also plans to test SpaceX’s Starlink satellite system to improve high-speed internet access starting in January. The partnership underscores the country’s focus on modernizing communications and leveraging private-sector technology for national security and infrastructure development. (Read Deeper)

Samsung Unveils AI-Driven Feature For TVs That Finds Recipes From Shows

Samsung has introduced a new feature for its 2025 TVs called Samsung Food, which uses AI to recognize food dishes on-screen and find recipes for them. This feature is an extension of the Samsung Food app, which offers tools like meal planning and AI-guided cooking. The TV version of the app can also track grocery or takeout orders and create shopping lists based on what’s in your fridge.

Takeaway: The accuracy of AI-based recipe suggestions remains uncertain, and the actual cooking still needs to be done by the user. The feature is designed to appeal to those inspired by food scenes on TV. (Read Deeper)

AROUND DE WORLD & POLITICS

Chinese Cyberattacks On Taiwan Government Double To 2.4 Million Daily In 2024

In 2024, cyberattacks targeting Taiwan’s government doubled to an average of 2.4 million daily, with most attributed to Chinese cyber forces, according to Taiwan's National Security Bureau. These attacks primarily targeted sectors like telecommunications, transportation, and defense, often coinciding with Chinese military drills around the island. While many attacks were successfully blocked, the increasing severity of China's cyber threats.

Takeaway: China's cyber tactics included advanced persistent threats, backdoor software, and DDoS attacks, aiming to disrupt Taiwan's infrastructure and gain strategic advantages in politics, military, technology, and economy. The report highlights China's growing cyber activities as part of its broader "grey-zone harassment" strategy, which includes military drills and political pressure to assert sovereignty over Taiwan. (Read Deeper)

Hamas Lists 34 Hostages It May Release In Proposed Ceasefire

Hamas has shared with the BBC a list of 34 hostages it is willing to release as part of a potential ceasefire agreement with Israel. The list includes 10 women, 11 elderly male hostages aged between 50 and 85, and several young children. Some hostages who are sick are also included. However, it remains unclear how many of the hostages are still alive.

Takeaway: Ceasefire negotiations have been ongoing in Doha, Qatar, but have not yet reached a breakthrough. Hamas has made it clear that any agreement for the return of hostages is contingent on Israel's withdrawal from Gaza and a permanent ceasefire. Israel has denied reports that Hamas directly provided it with the list of hostages. The Israeli military continues its campaign against Hamas, targeting over 100 sites across Gaza this weekend. (Read Deeper)

ENTERTAINMENT & SPORTS

The Brutalist Dominates 2025 Golden Globe Awards

At the 2025 Golden Globe Awards, The Brutalist was the night's biggest winner, taking home several major awards, including Best Drama Motion Picture, with Adrien Brody winning Best Actor in a Drama and Brady Corbet securing Best Director. Emilia Pérez, who led the nominations with 10, won best musical or comedy and best original song, while Selena Gomez and Zoe Saldaña earned acting nods, with Saldaña winning best actress in a musical or comedy. Conclave won best screenplay. On the TV side, The Bear dominated nominations but only won one award, with Jeremy Allen White winning Best Actor in a Comedy or Musical Series. (Read Deeper)

Manchester United Earns Hard-Fought Draw Against Liverpool at Anfield

Manchester United showed grit and determination under manager Ruben Amorim to secure a hard-fought 2-2 draw against Premier League leaders Liverpool at Anfield. United, desperate to avoid a fourth consecutive league defeat, took a surprise lead early in the second half when Lisandro Martinez hammered a powerful shot past Alisson in the 52nd minute. However, Liverpool responded quickly, with Cody Gakpo leveling the score just seven minutes later with a precise angled finish. (Read Deeper)

PODCAST(WHAT WE ARE LISTENING TO)

• AI Agents Will Dominate in 2025! Here’s Why & How. (Listen)

EXTRA BREVITI

• Pony.ai, a Guangzhou-based autonomous driving company, is looking to launch its robotaxi services in Hong Kong. (Read More)

• China's Geely Holding Group has set an ambitious target to sell over 5 million vehicles annually by 2027. (Read More)

• The Arctic region, long associated with vast mineral and hydrocarbon reserves, has recently been thrust into the spotlight with Donald Trump’s repeated interest in purchasing Greenland. (Read More)