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Apple Increases Laptop and Tablet Prices by Nearly 20% as Xbox Raises Console Prices
117d ago · bbc
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Edition · 2026-06-28
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European crypto exchanges are offering bonuses and incentives to attract users and deposits before the EU's Markets in Crypto‑Assets (MiCA) regulation takes full effect on July 1. The new rule requires crypto service providers to obtain a unified EU licence; firms without a licence will be restricted from serving customers after the deadline, creating pressure on existing platforms.
OKX Europe is providing an 8% deposit bonus to European Economic Area residents who transfer their portfolios, with on‑chain transfers and payment methods such as SEPA and mobile wallets, a promotion running until July 13. Coinbase is offering a 5% transfer bonus for Coinbase One subscribers in Germany, France, the United Kingdom and other major markets. Kraken has launched a €1 million prize draw for EEA customers who deposit funds before the end of July, highlighting its MiCA authorisation from the Central Bank of Ireland and existing MiFID and e‑money licences. SwissBorg is offering a 3% deposit match for transfers originating from non‑MiCA exchanges, targeting regional users.
Binance has failed to secure a bloc‑wide MiCA licence after Greek authorities rejected its application, prompting the exchange to issue withdrawal and service modification instructions to users in France, Italy, Spain and Poland, while stating that user assets remain fully backed. The European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA) warned that unauthorized operations after July 1 constitute a breach of EU law and directed non‑compliant firms to execute orderly asset transitions to regulated platforms or self‑custody wallets.
Analysts say the incentive programmes aim to convert short‑term regulatory disruption into long‑term market share, as compliance becomes a barrier to entry and a competitive advantage for larger, licensed exchanges. BitGo launched a MiCA‑compliant Crypto‑as‑a‑Service platform on June 17, offering custody and execution infrastructure to firms that lack their own licences, a model that may become more common as smaller firms seek partnerships, mergers or service narrowing.
The success of the transition will depend on whether EU authorities can enforce the unified rulebook without causing disorderly exits or leaving users uncertain about access to their assets.
Real‑world asset tokenization reached $30 billion in on‑chain value by mid‑2026, led by institutions such as BlackRock, JPMorgan and Franklin Templeton.
The on‑chain market grew from roughly $5.5 billion at the start of 2025 to about $30 billion by June 2026. Tokenized US Treasuries represented $12.9 billion and private credit $19 billion, while tokenized gold amounted to $5.5 billion. The activity is driven primarily by large financial firms that are creating tokenized funds and settlement systems, not by retail traders.
BlackRock’s BUIDL fund, a tokenized money‑market product, exceeded $2.5 billion in assets, and chief executive Larry Fink described tokenization as the next generation for markets, likening the current stage to the internet in 1996 and envisioning a unified digital ledger for all assets. JPMorgan operates a blockchain platform that processes large volumes of tokenized transactions, and other banks such as Goldman Sachs, HSBC and UBS have piloted similar initiatives. Institutions cite reduced operational costs, near‑instant settlement, 24/7 trading and programmable compliance features.
Tokenized assets fall into several categories: US Treasuries and money‑market funds, private credit loans, commodities such as gold, equities and exchange‑traded funds, real‑estate stakes, and bonds. Each category carries distinct legal and risk profiles, and the enforceability of token claims depends on the underlying legal structure and custodian arrangements.
Risks include dependence on the legal framework that defines token rights, counterparty and custodial exposure, regulatory uncertainty, smart‑contract and oracle vulnerabilities, liquidity constraints that limit transfers to approved addresses, and central control through issuer‑owned administrative keys. Only about $2.5 billion of the $30 billion on‑chain value is currently active in decentralized finance, reflecting compliance restrictions.
Analysts project the market could reach between $2 trillion and $16 trillion by 2030, though the timeline and regulatory environment remain unclear.
The sector’s rapid growth highlights a shift of traditional finance toward blockchain infrastructure, yet the extent to which tokenized assets will achieve broader adoption and regulatory clarity is still uncertain.
Investors withdrew roughly $6 billion from U.S. spot Bitcoin exchange‑traded funds over a six‑week period, the longest uninterrupted weekly outflow since the funds launched in 2024. The outflows coincided with a decline in Bitcoin’s price, which fell to about $58,000 before stabilizing near $59,000, about 53 % below the $126,080 peak reached in October 2024. Long‑term holders, defined as those who have held Bitcoin for at least 155 days, own 16.64 million BTC, representing roughly 83 % of total supply, according to on‑chain data from Checkonchain. The pace of weekly outflows slowed from $1.72 billion in the first week of June to $226.8 million by the week ending June 18. CoinEx analyst Jeff Ko said the deceleration suggested the selling pressure was waning. Assets under management for spot Bitcoin ETFs fell from above $104 billion to about $80 billion, and cumulative net inflows since launch dropped from near $63 billion to $53.4 billion. BlackRock and other firms described the withdrawals as portfolio rebalancing rather than a fundamental shift in sentiment. A hotter‑than‑expected personal consumption expenditures report of 4.1 % year‑over‑year and the Federal Reserve’s reduced easing language contributed to the price decline. Market pricing indicated a roughly 77 % probability of a December rate hike. A $10.6 billion Deribit options expiry on June 24 placed substantial open interest around $60,000 and $80,000 strike prices, while spot trading volumes had fallen back to levels seen during earlier consolidation phases.
Apple and Microsoft’s Xbox have raised prices for laptops, tablets and video game consoles, citing higher memory chip costs driven by demand from artificial intelligence data ce...
By · 117d ago · Source: bbc
Apple and Microsoft’s Xbox have raised prices for laptops, tablets and video game consoles, citing higher memory chip costs driven by demand from artificial intelligence data centers. The price changes, effective August for Apple and September for Nintendo’s Switch 2, mark the latest increase for products that had previously become cheaper over time. For years, the price of older technology devices generally declined, but recent trends show a reversal. Companies attribute the rise to insufficient supply of dynamic random access memory and other components needed for AI‑heavy workloads, which has outstripped manufacturing capacity. Apple announced a roughly 20 % increase in the prices of its tablet and laptop models on Thursday. Industry analysts reported that the new console pricing is 30 % to 40 % higher than the previous year. Xbox users posted comments on social media expressing frustration over the higher cost of a console that is several years old. A Reddit user suggested the upcoming Helix console might be unaffordable. Apple’s share price fell after the announcement. Counterpoint Research analyst Yang Wang described the memory shortage as the most disruptive supply‑side event the smartphone industry has faced. He noted that premium phone makers such as Apple and Samsung are better positioned to absorb the shock. Nintendo said it will raise the price of the Switch 2 globally starting in September. Valve introduced its Steam Machine gaming PC at a higher price than anticipated, citing spiking component costs. Sony increased the price of the PS5 in the UK and other regions, attributing the change to continued pressures in the global economic landscape. Analysts linked the price hikes to rising DRAM costs, which Counterpoint Research estimated rose from $94 for a 32 GB DDR5 kit in the third quarter of 2025 to $127 in the next quarter, a 122 % increase to $282 in the first quarter of 2026. Memory manufacturers such as TSMC have raised prices as multiple customers compete for production capacity. The competition between consumer electronics and AI data‑center orders has intensified, according to Danni Hewson of AJ Bell. James Bull of RSM UK noted that the four largest U.S. technology firms are projected to spend hundreds of billions of dollars on data centers and AI equipment in 2026, creating a memory demand that the supply chain cannot meet. Some analysts said inflation and geopolitical tensions, including the conflict in Iran and a blockade in the Strait of Hormuz, have compounded the cost pressures. While some observers labeled the price rise corporate greed, others expect the constrained supply to last for up to two years. Micron reported a fourfold increase in quarterly revenue, attributing the growth to strong demand for memory chips. The memory shortage is expected to persist for several years, suggesting that high device prices may continue for consumers.
SoftBank Group shares fell 12.5% after reports that OpenAI is weighing a delay of its planned IPO until 2027 to preserve a valuation near $1 trillion. The decline marked SoftBank as one of the biggest contributors to the Nikkei 225’s roughly 4% drop on Friday. SoftBank committed $64.6 billion to OpenAI in February, raising its total investment to that amount and giving the conglomerate about 13% ownership. The exposure makes SoftBank’s stock sensitive to OpenAI’s listing plans. OpenAI’s chief executive, Sam Altman, has said he opposes reducing the company’s valuation to accelerate a market debut. The company filed a draft registration statement with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission earlier this month and said no final decision has been made on the timing of an IPO. In addition to the financial considerations, OpenAI announced a custom AI chip called Jalapeño, developed with Broadcom, and unveiled the GPT‑5.6 model family under the names Sol, Terra and Luna, which attracted attention in crypto circles but were described by OpenAI as tiered capability releases. Amazon withdrew distribution of a film centered on Altman and is in talks with other partners, while the company has expanded a multi‑billion‑dollar investment commitment linked to future milestones. SoftBank founder Masayoshi Son defended the firm’s aggressive AI spending two days before the share decline, rejecting concerns that heavy investment resembles a speculative bubble.
Vice President JD Vance told HBO's Bill Maher that the United States would win regardless of whether a final deal with Iran is reached. He said that Iran's nuclear program has been destroyed and the country has been weakened, so America's position is strong either way. President Donald Trump posted on Truth Social that if diplomatic options are exhausted the United States may be forced to complete the military operation it began, adding that Iran would no longer exist in that scenario. The United States and Iran have maintained a tense ceasefire that has been tested by additional military strikes in the Strait of Hormuz over the weekend. US Central Command confirmed that on Saturday it struck Iranian surveillance infrastructure, communication systems, air defense sites, drone storage facilities and minelayer capabilities in direct response to continued Iranian aggression against commercial shipping. Vance said the increased flow of oil through the Strait of Hormuz indicated real activity, though he did not provide further details. A federal appeals court rejected the Environmental Protection Agency's request to abandon a Biden-era rule that sets strict standards for deadly soot pollution, marking a setback for the Trump administration's deregulation agenda. Trump announced on Saturday that he will nominate Lance Schroyer as the next director of Immigration and Customs Enforcement, citing Schroyer's 29 years of law enforcement experience in Oklahoma and his background as an Oklahoma State Trooper and United States Marine. The diplomatic and military dimensions of the US‑Iran relationship remain unresolved.
Donald Trump announced on Saturday that he will nominate Lance Schroyer to become the next director of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, replacing acting director David Venturella.
The agency has operated without a Senate‑confirmed director since early 2017, the longest interval in its history. Trump has made reducing illegal immigration and improving domestic security a central goal of his administration. Rights groups say the administration’s enforcement actions infringe on civil liberties and pose risks to ethnic minority communities. The fatal shooting of two U.S. citizens in Minnesota in January sparked nationwide protests.
In a Truth Social post, Trump described Schroyer as a patriot with more than 29 years of law enforcement experience in Oklahoma, a former Oklahoma State Trooper and United States Marine. Markwayne Mullin, the Department of Homeland Security secretary, said on X that Schroyer will help fulfill the president’s mandate to target, arrest and deport illegal aliens, noting his experience leading large‑scale 287(g) operations with state and federal partners. Both Trump and Mullin urged the Senate to confirm the nomination promptly, noting that it has been 11 years since the Senate last confirmed an ICE director.
Civil rights organizations have criticized the administration’s immigration enforcement strategy, arguing that it violates constitutional protections. The Senate must now decide whether to confirm Schroyer’s nomination, a decision that will determine the agency’s leadership and continue the administration’s immigration policy direction.
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis signed three bills on Friday that affect the state's financial services sector and cryptocurrency regulation.
The first bill, CS/CS/HB 175, aligns Florida’s stablecoin rules with the federal GENIUS Act and will take effect Oct. 1.
The Office of Financial Regulation will determine which entities qualify as qualified payment stablecoin issuers, either by holding a money‑services business license or, for trust companies, receiving a certificate of approval.
Stablecoins may be used for settlement with a one‑to‑one peg to the U.S. dollar.
The second bill, CS/CS/SB 1568, creates a Florida Stablecoin Pilot Program in the Department of Financial Services, allowing licensed entities to pay certain fees with approved stablecoins that are fully backed by at least $1 billion in reserve assets.
The department may also maintain a state digital wallet to convert stablecoin payments into dollars.
HB 505 extends money‑transmitter licensing requirements to virtual currency kiosk operators, requiring registration with the Office of Financial Regulation and compliance with transaction record‑keeping rules.
New kiosk users face a daily transaction limit of $2,000, while established customers may transact up to $10,000 per day.
The law mandates a fraud warning displayed on kiosk screens that advises users to stop transactions if approached by unknown individuals claiming to be government agents, collectors, or law‑enforcement officers and to contact a financial advisor or local police.
The measures aim to reduce scams involving crypto kiosks, and their effectiveness will be evaluated over time.
Australian authorities announced they will increase the maximum penalty for violating the country's social media minimum age law to $99 million. The eSafety Commissioner will also receive authority to request evidence from platforms about compliance measures. The ban, which prohibits children under 16 from accessing ten major social media services, has been in effect since 10 December 2025, though enforcement has been uneven. Investigations are under way into alleged non‑compliance by Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, TikTok and YouTube. A report from the eSafety Commissioner indicated that seven of ten children under 16 with existing accounts still have some access. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said the stronger penalties reflect the need for platforms to do more, and Minister for Communications Anika Wells expressed doubt that companies are doing everything possible to keep children off social media. Other countries, including the United Kingdom, have indicated plans to adopt similar bans, with the UK proposing a comparable restriction for under‑16s to take effect in spring 2027. The legislation also considers additional measures such as a night‑time curfew for under‑18 users and limits on infinite scrolling.
An earthquake with magnitudes 7.2 and 7.5 struck Venezuela on Wednesday, causing extensive damage in the coastal state of La Guaira. At least 1,430 deaths have been confirmed and around 50,000 people are reported missing, according to the United Nations. Rescue efforts involve national teams and international volunteers from Mexico, Spain, the United States, the United Kingdom and other countries, many of whom arrived within 861 personnel. Search operations rely on manual digging, shovels and drones to locate survivors beneath collapsed buildings. Families have called out to trapped relatives and listened for signs of life; some have reported hearing groans from individuals trapped under rubble. Authorities have distributed food and water to survivors and deployed a comprehensive rescue response during what officials describe as critical hours. Interim President Delcy Rodríguez said she discussed the situation with U.S. President Donald Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who reaffirmed commitments to send additional rescue teams and aid supplies. The first 48 to 72 hours after the quakes are considered crucial for saving lives, though rescue remains challenging due to limited equipment and hazardous conditions. People are sheltering in open areas such as the Simón Bolívar International Airport parking lot after their homes were damaged.
This edition was assembled from neutral, agent-rewritten summaries of the day's aggregated news.
Why it matters: Every article was reviewed for loaded language, partisan framing, and missing attribution before publication.
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