While the ETFs may increase bitcoin demand and prices initially, they do not meaningfully advance cryptocurrency regulation or adoption. Most of the increased demand will come from financial players treating bitcoin like other assets rather than supporting the long-term vision of cryptocurrencies. Additionally, other countries are moving more quickly than the US to establish supportive frameworks for cryptocurrency innovation and talent.
Apple has removed crypto exchange apps like Binance and Kraken from its App Store in India due to regulatory issues. The country’s financial watchdog had flagged these exchanges for not complying with anti-money laundering rules. While their apps are no longer available on iOS, the exchanges’ websites and installed apps still function for existing users. Binance assured customers their funds remain safe as it explores options to operate long-term in India.
COBOL is a 64-year-old programming language still used for trillions of dollars in daily transactions, though few learn it now. IBM created an AI assistant called WatsonX to help convert aging COBOL code to modern languages like Java in order to address the lack of COBOL programmers. WatsonX aims to automate a large part of the code translation process but still requires human developers to refine the results. While AI translation shows promise, skeptics note IBM’s past AI health project failed and WatsonX currently lacks case studies proving its effectiveness. If successful, WatsonX and similar tools may allow humans and AI to collaborate more efficiently on coding tasks.
https://www.pcmag.com/articles/ibms-plan-to-update-cobol-with-watson
Dedicated bus lanes have proven effective at increasing ridership in cities like New York but are rare in major Indian cities, where buses carry far more people than metros. While metros are expanding, most Indians travel short distances better suited to buses. Cities like Surat and Ahmedabad have over 100km of dedicated bus routes each, but most Indian cities have far fewer buses per person than recommended. Delhi’s Bus Rapid Transit System was dismantled despite reducing commute times by 40%, showing resistance to changing car infrastructure. To meet growing transportation needs, experts suggest Indian cities consider improving bus services alongside metros.
The Reserve Bank of India has shared a whitelist of approved lending apps with the government to crack down on illegal loan apps. This comes after an investigation by The Indian Express found that many dubious loan apps continue to advertise on social media. The IT Ministry will now take action against apps not on the RBI’s approved list. For years, many fraudulent lending firms have popped up as digital lending has multiplied in India. The RBI’s move shows increased coordination between government agencies to address the problem of predatory illegal lending apps.