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24 Apr 2026, 21:05
Thinking Machines Lab Talent War: How Meta’s Loss Becomes AI Startup’s Gain
BitcoinWorld Thinking Machines Lab Talent War: How Meta’s Loss Becomes AI Startup’s Gain The AI industry is witnessing a dramatic talent shift. Thinking Machines Lab is aggressively hiring from Meta, turning the tables on a company that once tried to acquire it. This trend, highlighted by recent high-profile moves, signals a new phase in the battle for AI expertise. Thinking Machines Lab Gains Top Meta Researchers Weiyao Wang spent eight years at Meta. It was his first job out of college. He helped build multimodal perception systems. He also contributed to open-world segmentation projects, including SAM3D. His final day at Meta was last week. He has since joined Thinking Machines Lab (TML). Wang’s move comes as TML expands rapidly. The startup just signed a multibillion-dollar cloud deal with Google. This agreement gives TML access to Nvidia’s latest GB300 chips. It makes TML one of the first startups to run on that hardware. The deal was announced at Google Cloud Next on Tuesday. This partnership follows an earlier agreement with Nvidia. It puts TML in the same infrastructure tier as Anthropic and Meta. Meta reportedly held talks to acquire TML around this time last year. Since then, Meta has been picking off TML’s founders one by one. The Two-Way Talent Grab Intensifies The talent picture remains fluid. Wang and Kenneth Li are the latest examples. Li is a Harvard PhD who spent ten months at Meta. He joined TML this month. Business Insider reported last week that Meta poached seven of TML’s founding members. However, a review of recent hires shows TML is raiding Meta right back. Based on LinkedIn profiles, TML has hired more researchers from Meta than from any other single employer. This creates a fascinating dynamic in the AI talent war. Key Hires from Meta to Thinking Machines Lab Soumith Chintala – TML’s CTO, spent 11 years at Meta, co-founded PyTorch Piotr Dollár – 11-year Meta veteran, research director, co-authored Segment Anything Andrea Madotto – Research scientist in Meta’s FAIR division, joined TML in December James Sun – Software engineer with nearly nine years at Meta Weiyao Wang – Eight years at Meta, built multimodal perception systems Kenneth Li – Harvard PhD, spent ten months at Meta Beyond Meta: A Diverse Talent Pipeline TML has drawn talent from beyond Meta as well. Neal Wu is a three-time gold medalist at the International Olympiad in Informatics. He was a founding member of the buzzy coding startup Cognition. He joined TML early this year. Jeffrey Tao came via Waymo, Windsurf, and OpenAI. Muhammad Maaz previously held a research fellowship at Anthropic. Erik Wijmans arrived from Apple. Liliang Ren spent two and a half years on Microsoft’s AI Superintelligence team. He pre-trained OpenAI models for code before joining TML in March. The startup’s headcount now stands at around 140. This rapid growth reflects the company’s ambitious plans in the AI startup ecosystem. Financial Incentives Drive Talent Decisions Meta’s pay packages are well known. Seven figures, no strings attached. For researchers weighing their options, the calculus may be simple. Thinking Machines Lab is currently valued at $12 billion. That figure would have been unimaginable for a company at this stage in any previous tech cycle. TML has released just one product so far. However, compared with OpenAI and Anthropic’s record-breaking valuations, there is still significant financial upside. Reached Friday morning, a spokesperson for TML declined to comment for this story. The silence only adds to the intrigue surrounding the company’s rapid ascent. Industry Implications of the AI Talent War This talent transfer has broader implications for the AI industry. It shows that smaller, well-funded startups can compete with tech giants for top researchers. It also highlights the importance of infrastructure partnerships, like TML’s Google Cloud deal. The timing is critical. AI research is advancing rapidly. Companies need the best talent to stay competitive. The ability to attract researchers from Meta gives TML a significant advantage. Timeline of Key Events Date Event Late 2025 Soumith Chintala leaves Meta Early 2026 Chintala appointed CTO of TML December 2025 Andrea Madotto joins TML March 2026 Liliang Ren joins TML from Microsoft April 2026 Weiyao Wang and Kenneth Li join TML April 2026 Google Cloud Next announces TML partnership What This Means for the AI Landscape The talent war between Meta and TML is far from over. Both companies continue to recruit aggressively. The outcome will shape the development of AI technologies for years to come. For researchers, the choice often comes down to resources versus autonomy. Meta offers massive infrastructure and established teams. TML offers equity upside and potentially more influence over product direction. The infrastructure deal with Google gives TML resources that rival those of much larger companies. Access to Nvidia’s GB300 chips is a game-changer. It allows TML to train models at scale without relying on a big tech parent. Conclusion The AI talent war is reshaping the industry. Thinking Machines Lab is proving that a well-funded startup can compete with Meta for top researchers. The combination of financial incentives, infrastructure partnerships, and a compelling vision is attracting talent from across the AI ecosystem. As both companies continue to hire, the balance of power in AI research may shift. The coming months will reveal whether TML can translate its talent gains into product success. FAQs Q1: Why are Meta researchers leaving for Thinking Machines Lab? Researchers are attracted by TML’s $12 billion valuation, equity upside, and the opportunity to work on cutting-edge AI with significant autonomy. The startup’s Google Cloud partnership also provides access to top-tier infrastructure. Q2: How many Meta employees has Thinking Machines Lab hired? Based on LinkedIn profile reviews, TML has hired more researchers from Meta than from any other single employer. Key hires include Soumith Chintala, Piotr Dollár, and Weiyao Wang. Q3: What is Thinking Machines Lab’s valuation? TML is currently valued at $12 billion. This is significant for a company that has released only one product so far, but it reflects investor confidence in its AI capabilities and talent pool. Q4: What infrastructure does Thinking Machines Lab have access to? TML signed a multibillion-dollar cloud deal with Google, giving it access to Nvidia’s latest GB300 chips. This puts TML in the same infrastructure tier as Anthropic and Meta. Q5: Has Meta tried to acquire Thinking Machines Lab? Meta reportedly held talks to acquire TML around a year ago. Since then, Meta has been hiring TML’s founders, while TML has been recruiting Meta researchers in return. Q6: What is the headcount of Thinking Machines Lab? The startup’s headcount now stands at around 140 employees. This includes researchers from Meta, Google, Apple, Microsoft, OpenAI, and Anthropic. This post Thinking Machines Lab Talent War: How Meta’s Loss Becomes AI Startup’s Gain first appeared on BitcoinWorld .
24 Apr 2026, 18:46
Bitcoin faces largest quantum threat yet as a new attack is confirmed
The Bitcoin ( BTC ) network now faces the largest quantum threat after a researcher cracked a 15-bit elliptic curve cryptography (ECC) key on a publicly accessible quantum computer. On April 24, Project Eleven, a quantum computing research organization, awarded 1 BTC to independent researcher Giancarlo Lelli after he successfully derived a private key from its public key across a search space of 32,767 possible combinations. Lelli used cloud-based quantum hardware available to the general public to crack the 15-bit ECC. The previous public demonstration of such an attack class was a 6-bit break, achieved in September 2025 by Steve Tippeconnic. As such, the possibility of a quantum attack on Bitcoin surged 512-fold in 8 months. “The resource requirements for this type of attack keep dropping, and the barrier to running it in practice is dropping with them,” Alex Pruden, CEO of Project Eleven, stated . What does this ECC attack mean for Bitcoin? Notably, every Bitcoin wallet uses a private key, a unique 256-bit number that is mathematically related to its public key. As such, the break of 15-bit ECC is not an immediate threat to BTC, but a notable leap in less than a year. Google researchers previously estimated that a strong enough quantum computer could break the Elliptic Curve Discrete Logarithm Problem (ECDLP) by 2029. Furthermore, Google predicted that a capable quantum computer could intercept a Bitcoin transaction by decoding its private keys from the public key in 9 minutes, before the 10-minute confirmation time, by 2029. With roughly 6.9 million Bitcoin, valued at approximately $534.3 billion at press time, held in wallets whose public keys are publicly visible, Project Eleven highlighted the need for blockchains to transition to post-quantum encryption. Moreover, the leap from 15-bit to 256-bit is an engineering headwind that could progress faster than expected. Currently, Project Eleven is developing its next challenge, focusing on the intersection of top-tier artificial intelligence (AI) models and quantum cryptanalysis. The post Bitcoin faces largest quantum threat yet as a new attack is confirmed appeared first on Finbold .
24 Apr 2026, 13:40
OpenAI teases agentic capabilities in release of new GPT-5.5 AI model
OpenAI officially released GPT-5.5 on April 23, 2026, and it is designed specifically to understand user intent in real-world use. The model features general-purpose native capabilities that allow it to navigate desktop applications, click buttons, and type text for multi-step workflows. The OpenAI team says that GPT-5.5 combines native computer use with advanced reasoning. It autonomously navigates the software tools required for high-level professional tasks. The model’s ~1.1 million-token context window allows it to process massive financial datasets that previously required manual chunking. OpenAI’s financial team used GPT-5.5 to review 24,771 K-1 tax forms (71,637 pages) and completed the task two weeks faster than the previous year. GPT-5.5 also scored 88.5% on internal investment banking modeling tasks and 60% on the FinancialAgent v1.1 benchmark, outperforming GPT-5.4 by four points. An employee of the Go-to-Market team has confirmed that automating weekly business reports will save roughly 5-10 hours of manual work per week. GPT-5.5 helps write code for its own serving infrastructure Notably, OpenAI says GPT-5.5 was used to help write code for its own serving infrastructure. The model achieved “System-Level Optimization” by analyzing production traffic patterns to write custom load-balancing heuristics, increasing its own token generation speed by 20%. A developer in one test asked the model to “re-architect a markdown editor.” It returned a nearly complete 12-diff stack with minimal human correction. OpenAI notes that the new model is more efficient, reaching the correct answer in fewer turns and using 40% fewer tokens for the same Codex tasks. However, the per-token price is double that of GPT-5.4. Meanwhile, Dan Shipper, the founder and CEO of Every, describes GPT-5.5 as the first coding model that has “serious conceptual clarity.” To test GPT-5.5, Shipper brought in GPT-5.5 after he and his best engineer spent days debugging a post-launch issue in an app to rewrite part of the system. He says GPT-5.5 achieved what GPT-5.4 could not: it examined the broken code and produced the rewrite that the engineer eventually decided on. The model can “remember” and cross-reference entire libraries of information without losing its place, reducing the “hallucinations” that plagued earlier versions. OpenAI also claims that GPT-5.5 is optimized for “self-correction” and autonomy. It is better at interpreting ambiguous instructions and using a computer interface (clicking, typing, browsing) to complete objectives without human intervention. However, the primary source of excitement is GPT-5.5’s shift toward agentic autonomy. The model becomes specifically useful when an agent is needed to operate software, manage terminal-heavy workflows, or reason across an entire codebase (500K+ tokens) with high retrieval accuracy. OpenAI says ‘GPT-5.5 Thinking’ unlocks faster help for harder problems In ChatGPT , OpenAI says “GPT-5.5 Thinking” unlocks faster help for more difficult problems. The feature provides smarter, more concise answers to help users complete complicated tasks more efficiently. It excels at professional work like information synthesis and analysis, coding, and document-heavy tasks like research, especially when using plugins. Meanwhile, early GPT-5.5 Pro testers say there is a massive improvement in both the quality and the difficulty of the work ChatGPT can take on. Its lower latency makes it more practical for demanding tasks than GPT-5.4 Pro. GPT-5.5 Pro’s responses are well-structured, relevant, useful, and accurate. They perform particularly well in law, data science, business, and education. Consequently, GPT-5.5 scores 84.9% On GDPval, which tests agents’ abilities to produce specific knowledge work across 44 occupations. On OSWorld-Verified (measuring the model’s autonomous real computer operations), the model reached 78.7%. And it scored a high 98% on the Tau2-bench Telecom, which tests extremely difficult customer service workflows. However, the main trade-off for this jump in capability is the premium pricing structure. While a basic version is available, the most capable version (GPT-5.5 Pro) costs $100/month for individual subscribers. For businesses, on the other hand, the cost per output token is roughly double that of GPT-5.4, even with 40% higher token efficiency. The overall spend for large–scale agentic deployments can be substantial. There is also increasing concern that the highest-tier reasoning will become a “luxury” accessible only to well-funded firms, potentially widening the productivity gap between large enterprises and smaller startups. If you're reading this, you’re already ahead. Stay there with our newsletter .
24 Apr 2026, 13:31
Analyst Says XRP Rally’s Next Phase Could Start Today If This Happens
XRP trades near $1.45 as its price presses into a narrowing structure that has developed over the past 76 days. The current setup places the asset at a critical point where compression has met resistance. Developer and crypto analyst Bird (@Bird_XRPL) highlighted this moment, stating, “If XRP breaks out of this 76-day range today… The next phase of up and right begins.” The daily chart shows a clear consolidation phase that began after a sharp decline at the end of January . Its price formed a horizontal base while lower highs continued to develop. This created a descending resistance trendline that now sits directly above current levels. XRP has steadily approached this level with higher lows, tightening the range and increasing pressure on resistance. If XRP breaks out of this 76 day range today… The next phase of up and right begins. pic.twitter.com/jxpMZVwIyo — Bird (@Bird_XRPL) April 22, 2026 Descending Resistance Meets Rising Support The structure on the chart is a classic compression pattern. Sellers have stepped in at progressively lower levels, while buyers have continued to defend higher lows. This convergence often leads to expansion once one side gains control. The chart shows multiple rejections along the descending trendline, confirming it as a key barrier. At the same time, the range low near $1.3 has held firm across several tests. This balance has kept XRP trading sideways for over two months. Now, the digital asset sits just below the resistance line, with recent candles showing stronger upward movement. The green circled area on the chart highlights this shift. XRP has started to push into the upper boundary of the range with more consistency. Momentum appears to be building as volatility tightens. Breakout Level and Immediate Targets A confirmed breakout requires a decisive move above the descending trendline, ideally with a strong daily close. If that happens, the structure suggests a transition from consolidation to expansion. We are on X, follow us to connect with us :- @TimesTabloid1 — TimesTabloid (@TimesTabloid1) June 15, 2025 The chart projection points toward $2 as a near-term target. This aligns with the measured move from the peak. The prior rejection zone near $1.5 remains the immediate hurdle. XRP must clear this region to sustain upward continuation . Market Positioning Ahead of Expansion The 76-day range has allowed XRP to stabilize after earlier volatility. The asset’s price action has remained controlled, with no extreme spikes or breakdowns during this period. This type of behavior often precedes directional moves when the range resolves. Bird’s outlook focuses on timing. His post signals urgency around the current setup. XRP now trades at the edge of its structure, where continuation depends on immediate follow-through . Disclaimer : This content is meant to inform and should not be considered financial advice. The views expressed in this article may include the author’s personal opinions and do not represent Times Tabloid’s opinion. Readers are advised to conduct thorough research before making any investment decisions. Any action taken by the reader is strictly at their own risk. Times Tabloid is not responsible for any financial losses. Follow us on X , Facebook , Telegram , and Google News The post Analyst Says XRP Rally’s Next Phase Could Start Today If This Happens appeared first on Times Tabloid .
24 Apr 2026, 08:51
Analyst: XRP Big Pump Is Confirmed Coming in Next 24 Hours Based On This Signal
Crypto analyst XRP CAPTAIN has issued a firm short-term projection for XRP, stating in a post on X that a “big pump is confirmed coming in the next 24 hours” based on a Cup and Handle pattern identified on the chart. The accompanying image shows XRP trading on the 4-hour timeframe against the U.S. dollar, with a clearly marked rounded bottom formation followed by a smaller consolidation phase resembling the “handle.” The chart highlights a resistance zone around mid-$1.40, where price action appears to be testing a breakout. XRP CAPTAIN’s analysis suggests that a decisive move above this resistance could trigger upward momentum. The projection also includes a visual extension toward the $1.70 level, indicating the analyst’s expected target if the pattern completes successfully. The Cup and Handle structure is a widely recognized technical formation that traders use to anticipate bullish continuation. In the chart provided, the rounded base extends from a prior decline into early April, followed by a recovery that brings the price back toward previous highs. The handle portion reflects a period of consolidation just below resistance, which traders often interpret as a buildup before a breakout attempt. #Ripple $XRP big pump is confirmed coming in next 24 hours CUP & HANDLE pattern #XRP pic.twitter.com/piRtHtA159 — XRP CAPTAIN (@UniverseTwenty) April 22, 2026 Market Reaction Reflects Mixed Sentiment Responses to the post show a divided outlook amongst XRP community members. Some users expressed skepticism toward repeated bullish predictions tied to the same pattern. One commenter questioned the setup’s reliability, noting that similar calls have frequently appeared without delivering the expected outcome. Another response pointed to XRP’s recent inability to sustain higher price levels, arguing that projections of rapid appreciation are inconsistent with recent performance. We are on X, follow us to connect with us :- @TimesTabloid1 — TimesTabloid (@TimesTabloid1) June 15, 2025 Additional criticism focused on supply dynamics. One commenter referenced the monthly release of XRP from escrow , describing it as a structural factor that traders continue to monitor. This perspective suggests that even if technical patterns indicate a potential breakout, underlying supply considerations may influence price behavior. Focus Remains on Resistance Break The central condition for the forecast remains the breakout above the highlighted resistance zone. The chart shows XRP consolidating just below this level, with price action tightening in the handle formation. Traders typically watch for increased volume and a strong candle close above resistance to validate such setups. As the 24-hour timeframe referenced in the post approaches, attention will remain on whether XRP can sustain momentum beyond the current range. Disclaimer : This content is meant to inform and should not be considered financial advice. The views expressed in this article may include the author’s personal opinions and do not represent Times Tabloid’s opinion. Readers are advised to conduct thorough research before making any investment decisions. Any action taken by the reader is strictly at their own risk. Times Tabloid is not responsible for any financial losses. Follow us on X , Facebook , Telegram , and Google News The post Analyst: XRP Big Pump Is Confirmed Coming in Next 24 Hours Based On This Signal appeared first on Times Tabloid .
24 Apr 2026, 08:34
Russia Pushes a Bill to Classify XRP and Crypto As Property
Russia is moving forward with a new digital asset framework that classifies cryptocurrencies, such as XRP, as property and opens the door for their use in cross-border trade. The development introduces a structured legal foundation for crypto activity while aligning with the country’s ongoing efforts to expand alternative payment channels for international transactions. The announcement arrives at a time when digital assets continue to gain traction in global finance . By defining crypto as property, Russia sets clear rules for ownership, taxation, and legal protection. The bill also allows approved use of cryptocurrencies in cross-border settlements. A Game-changer for XRP Crypto commentator John Squire (@TheCryptoSquire) shared a strong reaction to the development, placing XRP at the center of the conversation. He stated that “major powers are turning their focus toward XRP,” describing the moment as a new financial era currently unfolding. His message reflects a growing view among XRP community members that the asset could play a role in the evolving global payment systems. Legal Structure Opens Path for Digital Assets The proposed law introduces clear classification standards for cryptocurrencies within Russia’s legal system. Authorities intend to treat digital assets as property, which allows individuals and institutions to hold and transfer them with recognized legal backing. This structure also supports cross-border use. Russian entities can settle international transactions using approved digital assets under regulated conditions. Russian banks have spoken favorably about XRP in the past . This new standard opens the door for a modernized financial structure. The bill keeps the ruble as the only legal tender for domestic payments. At the same time, it creates a defined channel for crypto usage in foreign trade. If adopted, it will take effect on July 1, opening the door for increased XRP adoption. We are on X, follow us to connect with us :- @TimesTabloid1 — TimesTabloid (@TimesTabloid1) June 15, 2025 XRP Positioned for Potential Growth XRP continues to attract attention due to its design for fast and cost-efficient transfers. While cryptocurrencies will not take over the domestic market, XRP is a superior asset in the cross-border payment space , and could easily dominate the Russian market. The legal recognition of crypto as property supports assets like XRP by strengthening their status within regulated environments. While the U.S. has yet to provide legal clarity for the crypto market, Russia is already taking key steps to modernize its financial ecosystem. Cross-border trade provisions align with XRP’s core utility as a bridge asset for moving value between currencies. XRP remains the best candidate for use in systems that require speed and liquidity, and developments like this highlight how legal clarity can support adoption pathways for assets built around global payments. Disclaimer : This content is meant to inform and should not be considered financial advice. The views expressed in this article may include the author’s personal opinions and do not represent Times Tabloid’s opinion. Readers are advised to conduct thorough research before making any investment decisions. Any action taken by the reader is strictly at their own risk. Times Tabloid is not responsible for any financial losses. Follow us on X , Facebook , Telegram , and Google News The post Russia Pushes a Bill to Classify XRP and Crypto As Property appeared first on Times Tabloid .
