SoftBank is working to close a $22.5B funding commitment to OpenAI by year-end, drawing on asset sales, margin loans against Arm, cash on hand, and potential IPO proceeds from PayPay. The deal underscores the capital intensity of frontier AI: OpenAI’s infrastructure ambitions include massive data-center buildouts (e.g., the “Stargate” initiative), with costs measured in the hundreds of billions. SoftBank has already exited its Nvidia stake and sold a material T‑Mobile position to help fund the commitment. If completed on the terms discussed this spring, SoftBank would be a cornerstone backer as OpenAI scales compute and energy capacity in 2026.
Source: FinanceFeeds
Nvidia shares climb on prospects of resuming high-end chip sales to China
Nvidia has informed Chinese customers it plans to resume deliveries of H200 chips by mid‑February 2026 following export-rule adjustments that allow shipments with a 25% levy, Reuters reported. The H200s are far more powerful than the scaled-back H20s previously approved, potentially restoring access for Alibaba, ByteDance and others. Renewed China sales could materially boost Nvidia’s 2026 revenue outlook while threading evolving U.S. export controls.
Source: FinanceFeeds
New CFTC Chair Michael Selig promises rulebook for crypto spot markets
Michael Selig was sworn in as CFTC Chair and pledged to end “regulation by enforcement,” targeting a comprehensive digital‑asset framework by the end of Q1 2026. His agenda includes clear registration paths for spot digital commodities venues and custodians, and closer coordination with the SEC under “Project Crypto” to smooth jurisdictional handoffs. The push could bring offshore activity onshore under U.S. surveillance, collateral and clearing norms.
Source: FinanceFeeds
CySEC sets February deadline for MiCA applications; wind‑down required if firms miss it
Cyprus’s securities regulator reminded crypto‑asset service providers that MiCA authorization applications are due by February 27, 2026. CASPs operating under national rules may continue during the transition until their application is approved/rejected or until July 1, 2026—after which unauthorized crypto services must cease and wind‑down plans will be required. Cross‑border services remain subject to host‑state laws and ESMA guidance on grandfathering during the transition.
Source: FinanceFeeds
ESMA flags surge in cross‑border retail investing—and more complaints
Cross‑border investment in the EU/EEA accelerated in 2024, with roughly 10.5 million retail clients (+32% YoY) served by 370 firms, even as the number of firms slightly declined. Activity is concentrated: Cyprus, Lithuania, Germany, and Ireland account for ~86% of cross‑border clients; top products are shares, UCITS funds, and CFDs. Complaints rose 46% in absolute terms (to 10,968), though only moderately on a per‑client basis, with most tied to administration and customer service—prompting ESMA to push tighter supervisory coordination.
Source: FinanceFeeds
Year‑end profit‑taking hits crypto ETFs; outflows top $1.1B in December
Spot Bitcoin and Ether ETFs saw about $258M in net outflows on Dec. 22, bringing December’s total redemptions to ~$1.1B as institutions rebalance into the 2026 fiscal year. Despite the selling, Bitcoin has held support in the $85K–$87K range, and flows into Solana and XRP ETPs suggest rotation rather than wholesale risk‑off. Managers expect early‑2026 inflows to hinge on macro clarity and the pace of post‑holiday risk re‑engagement.
Source: FinanceFeeds
New FDIC‑approved “crypto‑friendly” bank Erebor valued at $4.35B
Start‑up bank Erebor raised $350M at a $4.35B valuation after securing FDIC insurance—one of the few de novo banks to win approval to take insured deposits in recent years. Founded by Palmer Luckey and Joe Lonsdale, Erebor plans to serve crypto, AI, defense, advanced manufacturing and funds within a supervised U.S. banking framework. The charter gives Erebor a structural edge as tech and digital‑asset clients seek regulated, domestic banking rails.
Source: FinanceFeeds
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