Waymo Expands Robotaxi Testing to Atlanta 🤖

Good morning. It's Wednesday, Apr. 17, and we're covering, Andreessen Horowitz Raises $7.2 Billion, Waymo Expands Robotaxi Testing to Atlanta, US and EU Mull Further Sanctions on Iran Following Attack on Israel, 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 $2.31 Trillion, a 0.55% decrease in the last 24 hours.

• The total crypto market volume over the last 24 hours is $94.9B, which makes a 16.22% decrease.

• The total volume in Defi is currently $7.27B, 7.66% of the total crypto market 24-hours.

• The volume of all stablecoins is now $89.56B, which is 94.37% of the total market 24-hour volume.

• Bitcoin’s dominance is currently 54.15%, an increase of 0.18% over the day.

BUSINESS & FINANCE

Andreessen Horowitz Raises $7.2 Billion, Indicating Potential Rebound in Tech Startup Market

Venture capital firm Andreessen Horowitz has announced the successful raising of $7.2 billion across five different funds. The bulk of the newly raised capital, amounting to $3.75 billion, will be allocated to the firm's growth fund, targeting investments in late-stage companies poised for potential public offerings or those requiring significant capital infusion. Andreessen Horowitz plans to dedicate $1.25 billion to infrastructure investments, encompassing artificial intelligence ventures, with an additional $1 billion earmarked for app investments.

Takeaway: The firm will also allocate $600 million each to the gaming sector and what it terms "American dynamism," focusing on founders and companies contributing to national interests such as aerospace, defense, education, and housing. ( Read Deeper )

Telegram Predicted to Reach 1 Billion Users Within a Year

Pavel Durov, the founder of the popular messaging app Telegram, anticipates that the platform will surpass 1 billion active monthly users within the next year, Durov described Telegram's rapid growth as akin to a "forest fire," highlighting its expanding user base. Currently boasting 900 million active users, Telegram aims to maintain its status as a "neutral platform" without involvement in geopolitical affairs. Moreover, concerns have been raised about Telegram's potential role in aiding illicit activities, prompting calls for increased vigilance from its founder.

Why it matters: While Telegram's primary competitor, Meta Platforms' WhatsApp, already exceeds 2 billion monthly active users, Telegram's trajectory indicates significant potential for further growth. ( Read Deeper )

TECHNOLOGY & SCIENCE

Waymo Expands Robotaxi Testing to Atlanta

Waymo, the autonomous vehicle subsidiary of Alphabet, has initiated testing of its robotaxis in Atlanta, marking another milestone in its ongoing efforts to develop and deploy self-driving technology. Waymo will deploy a small fleet of vehicles operated by human drivers to collect mapping data and familiarize themselves with Atlanta's unique environment. However, the company aims to progress to testing fully autonomous robotaxis in Atlanta soon, eliminating the need for human drivers.

Takeaway: Waymo's expansion efforts mirror its competitor, Cruise, which has also been actively testing and deploying autonomous vehicles in several cities. However, Cruise faced setbacks following an incident in San Francisco, leading to the suspension of its permits and the grounding of its fleet. ( Read Deeper )

NASA's Strategic Shift Opens Doors for Space Startups in Mars Exploration

NASA's recent announcement regarding its $11 billion Mars Sample Return mission has sent ripples through the space exploration community, particularly among space startups. With NASA reevaluating its approach and inviting commercial participation, the stage is set for a transformation in Mars exploration endeavors. NASA administrator Bill Nelson acknowledged the limitations of the existing Mars Sample Return mission, citing its hefty budget and distant completion date of 2040. For companies like Intuitive Machines, which recently achieved the milestone of the first private lunar landing, the opportunity to secure multi-billion-dollar contracts for Mars missions represents a significant windfall.

Why it matters: NASA plans to engage industry stakeholders in developing innovative solutions for Mars sample return missions. The agency will solicit architecture proposals from commercial providers, aiming to expedite the process and reduce costs, risks, and mission complexity. ( Read Deeper )

AROUND DE WORLD & POLITICS

US and EU Mull Further Sanctions on Iran Following Attack on Israel

The United States and the European Union are deliberating on the imposition of additional sanctions against Iran in response to its recent attack on Israel. The attack, characterized by a barrage of more than 300 missiles and drones launched from various locations, has prompted calls for punitive measures against Tehran's regime. In the aftermath of the attack, Israel has urged its allies to impose sanctions on Iran's missile program and designate the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) as a terrorist organization.

Takeaway: US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen has indicated plans to implement further sanctions against Iran in the coming days. The focus of these sanctions would be to disrupt terrorist financing and target Iran's missile and drone program. ( Read Deeper )

China's Inactivity in Middle East Conflict Undermines Its Influence

Julien Barnes-Dacey, the director of the Middle East & North Africa program at the European Council on Foreign Relations, suggested that China's restrained response to the ongoing Middle East conflict is eroding its influence in the region, ultimately benefiting the United States. Global leaders had urged China to leverage its considerable influence to dissuade Iran from escalating tensions after an Israeli strike targeted key Iranian commanders in Damascus. Despite its status as a major buyer of Iran's crude exports and its involvement in diplomatic initiatives, such as brokering ties between Iran and Saudi Arabia last year, China's influence in the Middle East appears to be waning.

Why it matters: China's restrained response may further diminish its influence while strengthening the positions of other key players. ( Read Deeper )

ENTERTAINMENT & SPORTS

Borussia Dortmund Knock Out Atletico Madrid to Reach Champions League Semifinals

Borussia Dortmund secured their place in the semi-finals with a stunning comeback victory over Atletico Madrid. Despite trailing 2-1 after the first leg in Madrid, Dortmund produced a remarkable turnaround to win 5-4 on aggregate. The German side wasted no time in overturning their deficit, as Julian Brandt and Chelsea loanee Ian Maatsen found the net in the first half to give Dortmund a 2-0 lead on the night. However, Atletico Madrid responded strongly, with Mario Hermoso's header and Angel Correa's close-range finish putting them ahead on aggregate. ( Read Deeper )

Conor McGregor's Fiancée: All About Dee Devlin

Conor McGregor, the renowned MMA fighter, and his fiancée Dee Devlin have captured headlines not just for their high-profile relationship but also for their growing family and joint ventures. Here's a glimpse into the life of Dee Devlin and her relationship with the MMA superstar. ( Read Deeper )

PODCAST(WHAT WE ARE LISTENING TO)

• Inflation stays hot, AI disclosure bill, Drone warfare, defense startups ( Listen )

EXTRA BREVITI

• Tesla ditches EV inventory price discounts as Elon Musk moves to ‘streamline’ sales and delivery. ( Read More )

• Meta is reportedly reviewing the company's handling of AI-generated celebrity pornographic content. ( Read More )

• France has extended an invitation to Russia to attend the upcoming D-Day ceremony commemorating the 80th anniversary of the Allied landings in Normandy during World War II. ( Read More )