🤖 Grok4 Goes Free | 🤝 China Nvidia Deal | ⚡ Ford’s EV Revolution

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Grok 4 Goes Free—With a Twist

What Happened: Elon Musk’s xAI just flipped the switch, making Grok 4 available for free to all users globally. But be ready, the free tier has a shifty cap—expect roughly 5 to 10 queries every 12 hours, with the limit sneaking up sooner for complex questions or peak times. The AI toggles between “Auto” mode for quicker, basic answers and “Expert” mode for deep dives, the latter reserved mostly for paid tiers. Musk is also plotting to roll out ads inside the chatbot, aiming to ease the heavy GPU bills powering Grok. It’s xAI’s clever tug to lure free users into paying while expanding reach against rivals like OpenAI’s GPT-5. And yes, Grok can now turn images into AI videos—potentially a new ad playground or a recipe for mischief.

Why it matters: This move shakes up AI accessibility while highlighting the economics of running a cutting-edge AI: free doesn’t mean unlimited, and somewhere ads are lurking to pay the bills.

Trump Opens Door for Slimmed-Down Nvidia AI Chip to China

What Happened: President Trump indicated he might let Nvidia sell a reduced-capacity version of its next-gen AI chip, Blackwell, to China, cutting performance by 30% to 50%. This deal would follow existing export controls allowing sales of the older H20 chip, which Trump called “obsolete” and “already in China’s hands.” Nvidia and AMD will pay a 15% revenue cut to the US government for these sales. Trump’s move walks a fine line, trying to contain China’s AI military advancements while keeping economic ties loosely intact.

Why it matters: It’s a rare thaw in US-China tech export tensions, opening a backdoor for AI tech transfer with strings attached, laying the groundwork for nuanced tech diplomacy in a high-stakes AI arms race.

Ford’s “Model T Moment” for Electric Vehicles

What Happened: Ford revealed a bold new universal EV platform centered on software-defined vehicles, launching with a $30,000 midsize electric pickup slated for 2027. CEO Jim Farley called it a “Model T moment,” aiming to revolutionize manufacturing by massively simplifying assembly lines and slashing component counts. The platform will support multiple vehicle types, including sedans and SUVs, while promising affordability and efficiency. Ford plans a $5 billion investment to secure thousands of US jobs and reshape EV production on American soil.

Why it matters: This is a game-changer for EV accessibility and manufacturing innovation. If Ford nails it, electric rides starting at $30K won’t be a pipe dream but a showroom reality soon..

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Technology stocks are bracing for a mood swing as AI innovation battles regulatory and geopolitical pressures. Big Tech gains from AI buzz remain tempered by concerns on export controls and chip supply chains. Nvidia’s partial chip deal with China injects cautious optimism into semiconductor equities, while Ford’s EV investment underlines a bullish trend in automotive tech transformations. Startup funding is pivoting towards

AI infrastructure and green tech, reflecting investor appetite for forward-looking breakthroughs. Meanwhile, the next wave of AI-powered cloud services influences infrastructure demand, keeping hardware makers on alert. Market watchers should keep a close eye on chipmakers' revenue disclosures and Ford’s EV rollout timeline as bellwethers for tech spending sentiment.

Paxos Pushes for US National Trust Bank License

What Happened: Paxos, the crypto firm behind PayPal’s PYUSD stablecoin, has reapplied for a US national trust bank charter to replace its expiring New York trust license. Approval would mean Paxos gains federal oversight to custody assets and settle payments nationwide—a big boost for institutional credibility and operational scale. Unlike traditional banks, Paxos cannot take deposits or issue loans, focusing solely on crypto payment infrastructure. This move follows a growing trend of crypto companies seeking regulated banking status to bridge the gap between traditional finance and digital assets.

Why it matters: This federal charter could set a precedent, raising the regulatory bar while easing institutional entry into crypto markets..

Do Kwon May Plead Guilty in US Fraud Case

What Happened: Terraform Labs co-founder Do Kwon, emblematic of the $40 billion Terra/Luna collapse, may flip his plea from not guilty to guilty in the US fraud lawsuit. The announcement followed a court order scheduling a hearing for a possible plea change. Kwon faces multiple charges including fraud and market manipulation tied to the catastrophic collapse of Terra’s stablecoin ecosystem in 2022, which triggered a crypto-wide meltdown. The potential plea deal would mark a significant turn in holding crypto executives accountable amid ongoing regulatory crackdowns.

Why it matters: A guilty plea could speed up resolution for one of crypto’s most notorious scandals, signaling tougher compliance expectations in the space.

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