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25 Mar 2026, 11:30

Lucid Bots Secures $20M to Revolutionize Dangerous Window Cleaning with Practical Drones

BitcoinWorld Lucid Bots Secures $20M to Revolutionize Dangerous Window Cleaning with Practical Drones CHARLOTTE, NC – June 9, 2025 – In a robotics sector often captivated by humanoid prototypes and viral dance videos, Lucid Bots is charting a distinctly different course. The company recently announced a $20 million Series B funding round to scale production of its Sherpa window-washing drones, addressing what founder Andrew Ashur calls “the largest asset class in the world” with pragmatic technology. This substantial investment, co-led by Cubit Capital and Idea Fund Partners, brings Lucid Bots’ total funding to $34 million and signals growing investor confidence in robotics that solve immediate, dangerous workplace problems. Lucid Bots’ Practical Robotics Philosophy While many robotics companies showcase laboratory demonstrations, Lucid Bots emphasizes field performance. The company’s drones currently operate on commercial job sites, performing hazardous window cleaning tasks that traditionally require workers to scale buildings on swing stages. “We sell performance on the job site that shows up in our customers’ profits and losses,” Ashur explained in an exclusive interview. “We’re not just in labs and simulators. We’ve got dirt under our fingernails.” This hands-on approach developed through the company’s unusual origin story. Ashur first conceived the idea while studying economics at Davidson College, witnessing window washers battling dangerous winds on a swinging platform. That harrowing experience sparked his mission to develop safer alternatives through robotics. The $20 Million Funding Round and Expansion Plans The recent $20 million investment represents a significant milestone for the North Carolina-based startup. Lucid Bots will allocate these resources toward several critical areas: Manufacturing Scale: Expanding production capacity to meet accelerating demand Team Growth: Hiring across engineering, operations, and customer support roles Product Development: Enhancing both the Sherpa drone and Lavo robot platforms Market Expansion: Developing tools for adjacent applications like painting and waterproofing Ashur noted the company has experienced such rapid growth that they’ve “run out of parking spots” at their manufacturing facility. The funding will help address overwhelming demo requests that currently exceed available hours in their schedule. From Liberal Arts to Robotics Leadership Ashur’s journey from economics and Spanish student to robotics CEO underscores the unconventional path that initially challenged investor confidence. “It took a fair amount of convincing to get VCs to back a robotics founder with a liberal arts background and no robotics experience,” Ashur acknowledged. The company launched in 2018 as a cleaning service itself, taking contract jobs to intimately understand industry pain points. This operational experience proved invaluable, leading to chemical burns but also crucial insights that shaped their drone development. After two years of hands-on learning, Lucid Bots pivoted to full-time robotics manufacturing with significantly improved product-market fit. Addressing Critical Infrastructure Challenges Lucid Bots targets what Ashur identifies as three compounding issues in built infrastructure. First, global infrastructure is aging simultaneously. Second, new construction projects grow increasingly larger and more complex to maintain. Third, fewer workers are willing or able to perform dangerous maintenance tasks at height. These converging challenges create substantial market opportunities for robotic solutions. The company’s technology addresses a specific niche within the broader $45 billion commercial cleaning industry, particularly the high-rise maintenance segment that carries significant insurance costs and safety concerns. Product Evolution and Data-Driven Improvements The company’s growth trajectory reveals accelerating market adoption. Lucid Bots required five years to sell its first 100 units but now approaches 1,000 deployments. This exponential growth reflects both product maturation and increasing industry acceptance. The Sherpa drone system collects operational data during cleaning tasks, feeding information back to proprietary software that continuously improves performance. This closed-loop system enables iterative enhancements without requiring physical hardware redesigns. Additionally, the company has successfully adapted its technology for waterproofing applications, recently completing a major university stadium project using the same core platform architecture. Industry Context and Competitive Landscape Lucid Bots operates within the commercial drone market, which MarketsandMarkets projects will reach $58.4 billion by 2030. However, the company distinguishes itself through vertical integration and specialized application focus. Unlike general-purpose drones, Sherpa systems feature custom-designed cleaning mechanisms, chemical delivery systems, and safety protocols specifically for building maintenance. The table below illustrates key differentiators: Feature Lucid Bots Sherpa General Commercial Drones Primary Application Building facade maintenance Aerial photography, inspection Cleaning System Integrated spray and scrub Typically none Safety Features Redundant systems for height Basic obstacle avoidance Data Collection Maintenance analytics Visual imagery only Future Applications and Market Expansion Beyond window cleaning, Lucid Bots identifies multiple adjacent opportunities. The company receives approximately 50 monthly inbound leads for painting and coating applications before actively marketing those capabilities. This organic demand suggests substantial market potential for their adaptable robotic platform. Future applications may include: Building facade inspections and diagnostics Preventive maintenance scheduling based on collected data Specialized surface treatments for historical preservation Solar panel cleaning for renewable energy installations The company’s full-stack approach—designing, manufacturing, and supporting its robots domestically—provides control over quality and rapid iteration capabilities that imported or outsourced solutions cannot match. Conclusion Lucid Bots’ $20 million funding round validates a growing market for practical robotics that address dangerous, essential work. While flashier humanoid robots capture headlines, Ashur’s company demonstrates that solving unglamorous problems can build substantial businesses. The window-washing drone market represents just the initial application for technology that could transform how society maintains its built environment. As infrastructure ages and skilled labor shortages intensify, robotic solutions like those from Lucid Bots may become essential rather than optional. Their success illustrates that sometimes the most innovative technology doesn’t look futuristic—it simply makes dangerous jobs safer and more efficient. FAQs Q1: What exactly does Lucid Bots manufacture? Lucid Bots designs and manufactures specialized drones and robots for commercial building maintenance. Their flagship product is the Sherpa window-washing drone, which cleans high-rise building exteriors without requiring human workers to operate at dangerous heights. Q2: How much funding has Lucid Bots raised total? The company has raised $34 million to date. This includes a recently announced $20 million Series B round co-led by Cubit Capital and Idea Fund Partners, building upon previous funding rounds that supported initial development and commercialization. Q3: What makes Lucid Bots different from other robotics companies? Unlike many robotics startups focused on humanoid robots or laboratory demonstrations, Lucid Bots emphasizes practical field deployment. Their drones actively work on commercial job sites, and the company originally operated as a cleaning service to understand customer needs before developing its technology. Q4: What safety advantages do window-washing drones provide? Traditional window cleaning requires workers to use suspended platforms at significant heights, exposing them to fall risks and hazardous weather conditions. Drones eliminate this human risk while potentially improving cleaning consistency and efficiency through programmed patterns and data collection. Q5: What other applications might this technology have? Beyond window cleaning, Lucid Bots’ platform can adapt to building painting, waterproofing, sealing, and inspection tasks. The company has already completed waterproofing projects for large structures like university stadiums using modified versions of their core technology. Q6: Where are Lucid Bots’ products manufactured? The company maintains domestic manufacturing facilities in the United States, specifically in Charlotte, North Carolina. This domestic production allows for tighter quality control, faster iteration cycles, and support for local employment while serving global markets. This post Lucid Bots Secures $20M to Revolutionize Dangerous Window Cleaning with Practical Drones first appeared on BitcoinWorld .

25 Mar 2026, 10:02

New SWIFT Announcement Got XRP Army Talking

A new announcement about SWIFT’s blockchain plans has captured the attention of the digital asset community as the global payments network prepares for a major operational shift. SWIFT confirmed that more than 25 banks plan to go live by June using blockchain technology to support 24/7 cross-border payments. This development matters because SWIFT has historically operated on a messaging system rather than moving funds directly. This new blockchain-powered structure aligns with ISO 20022 messaging standards, which Ripple has supported for years . That technical overlap has led many XRP community members to look closely at what the announcement means for Ripple technology. BREAKING: SWIFT just confirmed 25+ major banks go LIVE by JUNE using BLOCKCHAIN for 24/7 cross-border payments. But here’s the RED PILL they don’t want you to swallow: This isn’t "their" blockchain. SWIFT is quietly WHITELABELING the XRPL front-end. Yes, Ripple’s XRP… https://t.co/kpQDy5tCAU — Pumpius (@pumpius) March 23, 2026 Why XRP Supporters Are Paying Close Attention Shortly after the news circulated, XRP community figure Pumpius (@pumpius) published a notable response. He claimed SWIFT is “quietly WHITELABELING the XRPL front-end” and argued that the technology behind instant settlement and tokenized transfers closely matches the capabilities of the XRP Ledger. He also stated that banks have already tested systems that connect Ripple technology with ISO 20022 messaging and cross-border settlement flows. His comments say that SWIFT and Ripple may not remain direct rivals in the long term. Instead, both could operate together. SWIFT provides the global banking network, and Ripple provides settlement technology and liquidity solutions. XRP supporters believe a shared ledger environment could enable multiple networks to connect, including the XRP Ledger, especially in tokenized asset transfers and liquidity bridging between institutions. Community Reactions to the Announcement Several community members weighed in on this major announcement. One community member shared an excerpt from SWIFT’s official announcement, explaining that it is building a shared digital ledger that would support real-time, 24/7 cross-border payments while connecting with both existing banking systems and emerging blockchain networks. The user highlighted interoperability, which is important because XRP is designed to act as a bridge between different networks and financial institutions. However, not everyone is convinced. One commenter asked for proof behind claims about which blockchain is powering the system. SWIFT announced a partnership with Consensys in late 2025. As another commenter pointed out , XRP was not mentioned in this announcement. We are on X, follow us to connect with us :- @TimesTabloid1 — TimesTabloid (@TimesTabloid1) June 15, 2025 A Potential Turning Point SWIFT and Ripple have spent years building competing solutions for cross-border payments. This new blockchain initiative shows that the global banking system is moving toward continuous settlement and tokenized value transfer. Those are areas where Ripple has already built infrastructure. No official partnership has been announced. While the parties may not work together, the technical direction of SWIFT’s new system closely matches the settlement environment in which XRP was designed to operate. 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 New SWIFT Announcement Got XRP Army Talking appeared first on Times Tabloid .

25 Mar 2026, 08:25

Tokenization Hearing: Plume Legal Chief Urges Congress to Prevent Critical Infrastructure Exodus

BitcoinWorld Tokenization Hearing: Plume Legal Chief Urges Congress to Prevent Critical Infrastructure Exodus WASHINGTON, D.C., March 2025 – Salman Banaei, the head of legal at regulated real-world asset blockchain project Plume, delivered crucial testimony today before the U.S. House Financial Services Committee. His appearance at the hearing on the future of tokenized securities highlighted a growing concern: the potential migration of essential tokenization market infrastructure away from American shores due to regulatory uncertainty. This development marks a pivotal moment for U.S. financial technology leadership. Tokenization Hearing Brings Web3 Voice to Congressional Debate The House Financial Services Committee convened its hearing at 2:00 p.m. UTC today. Consequently, the session focused specifically on the regulatory framework for tokenized securities. Furthermore, witnesses represented established financial institutions and industry associations. Significantly, Plume participated as the sole Web3 project among the panelists. Therefore, Banaei’s testimony provided a unique perspective from the blockchain innovation sector. The committee heard from several key organizations. These included the Depository Trust & Clearing Corporation (DTCC), Nasdaq, and the Securities Industry and Financial Markets Association (SIFMA). Each entity presented views on securities tokenization. However, Plume’s position emphasized the urgent need for proactive congressional measures. The hearing was live-streamed on the committee’s official YouTube channel for public access. Real-World Asset Blockchain Projects Face Regulatory Crossroads Real-world asset tokenization represents a transformative financial technology. Essentially, it involves creating digital tokens on a blockchain that represent ownership of physical assets. These assets can include real estate, commodities, or intellectual property. The process increases liquidity and enables fractional ownership. However, regulatory clarity remains a significant challenge for developers. Plume operates as a regulated blockchain project specifically designed for RWAs. The platform aims to provide compliant infrastructure for asset tokenization. Currently, the United States maintains a complex regulatory environment for digital assets. Different agencies claim jurisdiction based on various factors. This situation creates uncertainty for projects like Plume seeking to build domestically. The Offshore Infrastructure Migration Concern Banaei’s testimony centered on a critical warning. He stated that tokenization market infrastructure is beginning to move offshore. This shift results directly from ongoing policy uncertainty in the United States. Other jurisdictions are developing clearer regulatory frameworks. For instance, the European Union’s Markets in Crypto-Assets regulation provides specific guidelines. Similarly, Singapore and the United Arab Emirates offer structured approaches. This migration carries substantial economic implications. The United States risks losing its competitive edge in financial innovation. Additionally, offshore jurisdictions may establish dominant standards. Consequently, American companies could face compliance with foreign regulations. This scenario would reduce U.S. influence over the developing tokenization ecosystem. Congressional Support Needed for U.S. Leadership Plume’s testimony called for specific congressional actions. First, lawmakers should establish clear jurisdictional boundaries. The Securities and Exchange Commission and the Commodity Futures Trading Commission need defined roles. Second, legislation should create a regulatory sandbox for innovation. This approach allows testing while maintaining consumer protections. Third, Congress should consider tailored frameworks for different asset types. Tokenized securities require distinct treatment from commodity tokens. Finally, regulatory harmony with international standards is essential. The United States should lead global coordination efforts. These measures would help retain infrastructure development domestically. Historical Context of Financial Innovation Regulation Today’s hearing follows a pattern in technological adoption. Historically, Congress has grappled with regulating emerging financial technologies. The internet created similar challenges in the 1990s. Lawmakers eventually established frameworks for electronic signatures and online transactions. Similarly, mobile payments required regulatory adaptation in the 2010s. The current moment presents another inflection point. Tokenization technology promises significant efficiency gains. Estimates suggest trillions in assets could eventually tokenize. However, without appropriate regulation, benefits may materialize elsewhere. Other nations are actively positioning themselves as hubs for this innovation. Industry Perspectives on Tokenized Securities Other hearing witnesses provided complementary viewpoints. DTCC discussed settlement and custody considerations. The corporation emphasized the importance of existing financial market infrastructure. Nasdaq highlighted trading venue requirements for tokenized assets. The exchange operator noted technological integration challenges. SIFMA presented traditional finance perspectives on investor protection. These established players generally advocated for cautious evolution. They support innovation but emphasize risk management. Plume’s position aligned with these concerns while urging faster action. The blockchain project argued that delay itself creates risk. Specifically, it enables other jurisdictions to establish first-mover advantages. Technical Infrastructure Requirements Tokenization requires robust technical foundations. These include blockchain networks with appropriate security features. Additionally, identity verification systems must prevent illicit activity. Oracles provide reliable external data feeds for asset valuation. Smart contracts automate compliance and distribution functions. Building this infrastructure demands substantial investment. Developers seek jurisdictions with regulatory predictability. Uncertainty increases development costs and risks. Consequently, teams may choose locations with clearer guidelines. The United States currently presents higher uncertainty than several competing markets. The Global Competitive Landscape Several jurisdictions are advancing tokenization frameworks. The European Union’s MiCA regulation takes effect fully in 2026. It provides comprehensive rules for crypto-asset service providers. Switzerland has established clear guidelines through its Financial Market Supervisory Authority. Singapore’s Payment Services Act covers digital payment token services. These jurisdictions attract blockchain development teams. They offer regulatory certainty despite sometimes stricter rules. American projects face a dilemma: wait for domestic clarity or build elsewhere. Many choose the latter path to accelerate development. This trend concerns proponents of U.S. technological leadership. Economic Implications of Infrastructure Location The geographic location of tokenization infrastructure matters significantly. Development creates high-skilled technology jobs. Platform operation generates ongoing employment in compliance and engineering. Transaction activity produces tax revenue for host jurisdictions. Standard-setting authority provides long-term strategic advantages. If infrastructure develops primarily offshore, the United States loses these benefits. American investors and companies would still utilize tokenization services. However, they would depend on foreign-controlled platforms. This situation could create geopolitical vulnerabilities in financial systems. Potential Congressional Pathways Forward Several legislative proposals address digital asset regulation. The Financial Innovation and Technology for the 21st Century Act proposes a comprehensive framework. Another bill, the Digital Asset Market Structure Discussion Draft, suggests specific agency roles. These proposals remain in committee discussion stages. Today’s hearing may accelerate legislative progress. Committee members expressed interest in the offshore migration concern. Bipartisan support exists for maintaining U.S. financial leadership. However, disagreements persist on specific regulatory approaches. The coming months will determine whether consensus emerges. Plume’s Position as a Regulated Project Plume’s regulatory engagement distinguishes it from many blockchain projects. The company actively seeks compliance within existing frameworks. It works with regulators to interpret current rules. This approach demonstrates that innovation and regulation can coexist. However, the project acknowledges limitations in the current system. Clear legislation would enable more efficient compliance. It would reduce legal costs and uncertainty. Consequently, resources could shift from regulatory navigation to technological development. This reallocation would benefit both innovators and consumers. Conclusion The House Financial Services Committee tokenization hearing highlighted critical policy challenges. Salman Banaei’s testimony emphasized the urgent need for regulatory clarity. His warning about infrastructure migration offshore deserves serious consideration. Congress faces a decisive moment for U.S. financial technology leadership. Proactive measures could secure American advantages in the developing tokenization ecosystem. The coming legislative session will reveal whether lawmakers heed this call to action. FAQs Q1: What is the main concern Plume’s legal chief expressed at the hearing? Salman Banaei warned that tokenization market infrastructure is moving offshore due to U.S. policy uncertainty, urging Congress to take proactive measures to maintain domestic development. Q2: Why is regulatory clarity important for real-world asset blockchain projects? Clear regulations reduce development costs and risks, enabling projects to allocate resources to innovation rather than legal navigation, while ensuring consumer protections and market integrity. Q3: Which other organizations testified at the House tokenization hearing? The hearing included witnesses from the Depository Trust & Clearing Corporation (DTCC), Nasdaq, and the Securities Industry and Financial Markets Association (SIFMA), alongside Plume as the sole Web3 project. Q4: What are tokenized securities? Tokenized securities are digital representations of traditional financial instruments like stocks or bonds on a blockchain, enabling faster settlement, fractional ownership, and increased liquidity through programmable features. Q5: How can Congress support U.S. leadership in tokenization infrastructure? Congress can establish clear jurisdictional boundaries between regulators, create innovation sandboxes, develop asset-specific frameworks, and promote international regulatory harmony to provide the certainty developers need. This post Tokenization Hearing: Plume Legal Chief Urges Congress to Prevent Critical Infrastructure Exodus first appeared on BitcoinWorld .

25 Mar 2026, 08:00

US judge says Pentagon retaliated against Anthropic over free speech

A federal judge in San Francisco just said what a lot of people were already thinking, which is that the US government went after Anthropic purely out of pettiness because the company spoke up against the atrocities being committed by its so-called Department of War. The case had landed in a California court this week, as Anthropic is trying to stop a full ban on its AI models inside government systems. Judge says government actions look like punishment against Anthropic Judge Rita Lin said it clearly in court. “It looks like an attempt to cripple Anthropic.” She added that actions like this “of course would be a violation of the First Amendment.” Rita also pointed out that after Anthropic made its dispute with the Pentagon public, the government had a strong reaction. In her words, it “seems to have a pretty big reaction to that.” She also said the response did not look tied to a real national security need. She told the courtroom it “doesn’t seem to be really tailored to a stated national security concern.” Rita then said the government may have gone further than needed because it was trying to punish Anthropic . She has not made a final ruling yet, but her tone left little doubt about her concerns. “Everyone, including Anthropic, agrees that the Department of War is free to stop using Claude and look for a more permissive AI vendor,” said Rita. “I don’t see that as being what this case is about. I see the question in this case as being a very different one, which is whether the government violated the law.” The lawsuit came earlier this month. Anthropic is asking the court to remove its label as a supply chain risk. That label triggered the ban and blocked its models from government use. The fight is now between the company and the Trump administration. The disagreement is about how AI tools should be used in military work. Michael Mongan, who is representing Anthropic, told the court this kind of action has never been used against a US company before. He said, “This is something that has never been done with respect to American company.” He also said the authority being used is narrow and does not fit this situation. Pentagon demands full access as Anthropic pushes back on military use of its AI Before all this, Anthropic was working closely with the government. It had deals with several federal agencies. The company signed a $200 million contract with the Pentagon in July. It was also the first AI lab to run its systems inside classified networks. Things changed in September. Talks started about putting Claude on the Defense Department’s GenAI.mil platform. That is where everything slowed down. The Pentagon wanted full access to the technology for any lawful use. Anthropic did not agree. A government lawyer, Hamilton, spoke about that in court. He said Anthropic was not just refusing contract terms. He said:- “Anthropic is not just acting stubbornly. It’s not just refusing to agree to contracting terms. Instead, it’s raising concerns to DOD about how DOD uses its technology in military missions.” At the same time, Anthropic is pushing forward with its tech. Claude can now take control of a user’s computer and finish tasks. A person can send a request from their phone, and the system will handle it. It can open apps, use a browser, and fill out spreadsheets. One demo shows a user running late. The user asks Claude to export a pitch deck as a PDF and attach it to a meeting invite. Claude completes the job on its own. This update puts Anthropic in the race to build AI agents that work without constant input. That race picked up speed after OpenClaw went viral this year. OpenClaw connects models from OpenAI and Anthropic. People can send tasks through apps like WhatsApp or Telegram. It runs on the user’s device and can access local files. If you want a calmer entry point into DeFi crypto without the usual hype, start with this free video.

25 Mar 2026, 01:50

Arm launches 3-nanometer AGI CPU with Meta as first data center customer

Arm just did something it spent decades avoiding. The company that quietly powered most of the world’s chips from behind the scenes has now stepped out and built its own processor. Instead of only selling designs and collecting royalties, Arm is now putting its own silicon into the market, starting with a new 3-nanometer AGI CPU aimed straight at data centers. That puts Arm into direct competition with some of the same companies that built products on its architecture. Chief executive Rene Haas unveiled the new in-house processor on Tuesday at an event in San Francisco. The company calls it the AGI CPU, a data center chip aimed at AI workloads. Arm is no longer only selling the foundation. It is now selling the chip itself. Meta joins Arm and expands its AI infrastructure Meta is the first customer. The company is building multiple gigawatts of AI data centers and plans to spend as much as $135 billion on capital expenditures this year. In February, Meta also secured a large supply of chips from Nvidia and Advanced Micro Devices. The new Arm deal gives it one more processor source as its AI buildout keeps expanding. Paul Saab, a Meta software engineer who has worked on the Arm chip project since 2023, told reporters that, “In today’s world, you really only have a couple of players.” Paul also said the deal “allows a lot more flexibility in our software stack and in our supply chain.” The companies did not disclose the terms. CPU demand rises as agentic AI strains compute The launch comes as CPUs are getting more attention in AI. Nvidia, which leads the market for AI graphics processors, had before said that CPUs are “becoming the bottleneck” as agentic AI changes compute needs. Futurum Group called it a “quiet supply crisis” and predicted CPU market growth could move ahead of GPU growth by 2028. The split between the two chip types is simple. GPUs are useful for training and running AI models because thousands of cores can do many operations at once. CPUs handle a smaller number of stronger cores built for general tasks that run in sequence. Agentic AI needs a lot of that general compute work because huge amounts of data move across multiple agents. At Nvidia’s GTC conference last week, chief executive Jensen Huang revealed an entire rack filled only with Vera CPUs. At the Arm event on Tuesday, Huang appeared in a recorded statement congratulating the company on the launch. Leaders from Google, Amazon, Microsoft, Oracle, Broadcom, Micron, Samsung, SK Hynix, and Marvell also appeared. Arm told reporters that around 50 partners had shown support before the launch. Mohamed Awad, Arm’s head of cloud AI, said, “It’s a $1 trillion market, and what we’re seeing over and over again is actually our partners coming out and understanding and realizing this is actually great for the industry.” Arm expands testing and relies on TSMC To reach this point, Arm spent $71 million and about 18 months building three new lab rooms at its campus in Austin, Texas. A team that once was small has grown to more than 1,000 people. Engineers use those labs to bring up the chips after they leave the factory and put them through repeated rounds of testing. Like most fabless AI chip companies, Arm is using Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company to manufacture the processor.The AGI CPU is made on TSMC’s 3-nanometer node, and all production is in Taiwan for now. TSMC is preparing a 3nm fab in Arizona. Awad said Arm would “love to manufacture here,” but said the final choice depends on what customers want. Arm is still best known for powering mobile chips in almost every smartphone.It entered data center chips in 2018 with Neoverse.Amazon pushed that platform into the mainstream with Graviton, and Google and Microsoft also base AI chips on Arm designs. Moorhead said, “If Arm didn’t exist, then all of those companies who have their own processors wouldn’t be able to create their own.” Most server chips still use x86 designs from Intel and AMD, which Moorhead called “tried and true.” Awad said the team “ruthlessly optimized” the AGI CPU for artificial general intelligence, which is why it carries that name.One air-cooled rack can hold up to 64 CPUs, or about 8,700 cores.He said, “You can get two times the performance-per-watt than you can from an x86 rack.” Paul said wattage is “a very scarce resource,” adding that better performance per watt leaves more power for other parts of the data center. The smartest crypto minds already read our newsletter. Want in? Join them .

25 Mar 2026, 01:45

OpenAI Sora Shutdown: The Stunning Collapse of an AI Social Media Experiment

BitcoinWorld OpenAI Sora Shutdown: The Stunning Collapse of an AI Social Media Experiment In a significant reversal of its social media ambitions, OpenAI announced the shutdown of its Sora application on Tuesday, March 24, 2026, marking the end of a controversial six-month experiment in AI-driven social networking. The company provided no specific reason for discontinuing the TikTok-like platform, which leveraged its powerful Sora 2 video generation model to create a feed of AI-generated content. This decision follows a rapid decline in user interest and persistent challenges with content moderation, raising critical questions about the viability of AI-exclusive social spaces. OpenAI Sora Shutdown: Timeline of a Failed Experiment OpenAI launched Sora as an invite-only social network in September 2025, generating immediate buzz within tech circles. The app’s premise was simple yet ambitious: create a vertical video feed populated entirely by AI-generated clips. Initially, demand for access codes surged, mirroring the early hype around platforms like Clubhouse. According to mobile intelligence firm Appfigures, Sora peaked in November 2025 with approximately 3.3 million downloads across iOS and Google Play stores. However, this momentum proved fleeting. By February 2026, monthly downloads had plummeted to around 1.1 million. For context, ChatGPT maintains nearly 900 million weekly active users, highlighting Sora’s failure to achieve mainstream adoption. Throughout its brief lifespan, the app generated an estimated $2.1 million in revenue from in-app purchases for video generation credits. The Technical Promise and Ethical Pitfalls The Sora application was built upon OpenAI’s Sora 2 model, a sophisticated system capable of generating realistic video and audio from text prompts. The app’s flagship feature, originally called “cameos,” allowed users to scan their faces to create personalized AI avatars. These digital doubles could then be used to generate videos, effectively enabling users to produce deepfakes of themselves. This feature immediately sparked controversy and legal action. Cameo, the celebrity video message platform, successfully sued OpenAI over the trademarked name, forcing a rebrand to “characters.” More critically, the technology’s guardrails proved insufficient. Despite policies prohibiting the generation of videos featuring non-consenting public figures, users easily circumvented these restrictions. The platform soon hosted unauthorized deepfakes of historical figures like Martin Luther King Jr. and beloved actors like Robin Williams, prompting public appeals from their families to cease the practice. Moderation Challenges and Cultural Backlash The content moderation landscape within Sora quickly became problematic. Early users flooded the feed with bizarre and often disturbing videos featuring AI clones of OpenAI CEO Sam Altman in unsettling scenarios. Furthermore, a trend emerged where users intentionally generated videos of copyrighted characters—such as Mario, Naruto, and Pikachu—engaging in inappropriate activities, seemingly to test legal boundaries and create viral content. This presented a significant liability for OpenAI. Interestingly, instead of litigating, Disney entered into a tentative $1 billion investment and licensing deal with OpenAI in early 2026, which would have allowed Sora to generate content featuring Disney-owned characters legally. However, with the app’s shutdown, this landmark deal has collapsed, though no funds were reportedly exchanged before its termination. Comparative Analysis: Why AI-Only Social Networks Struggle Sora’s trajectory bears resemblance to other hyped-but-struggling platforms. Meta’s Horizon Worlds, a virtual reality social platform central to the company’s metaverse vision, has also faced significant user retention problems despite massive investment. The core issue for both platforms appears to be a lack of sustained, organic human connection. While AI-generated content offers novelty, it often fails to foster the genuine community and relational dynamics that drive long-term engagement on successful social networks. The following table compares key metrics of Sora against established social platforms: Platform Launch Date Peak Monthly Downloads Primary Content Type Status Sora (OpenAI) Sep 2025 ~3.3 million AI-Generated Video Discontinued Mar 2026 TikTok Sep 2016 ~100 million+ User-Generated Video Active ChatGPT Nov 2022 N/A (App) AI Text Interaction Active (~900M WAUs) Several factors contributed to Sora’s decline: Novelty Wear-Off: The initial fascination with AI video generation gave way to a lack of compelling, ongoing use cases. Ethical Concerns: Widespread unease about deepfake technology and its potential for misuse created a negative perception. Content Saturation: The feed became dominated by similar, often low-quality or bizarre AI clips, reducing discoverability of engaging content. High Computational Cost: Generating video is significantly more resource-intensive than text, likely making user acquisition costly relative to revenue. The Future of AI and Social Media Integration OpenAI’s shutdown of the Sora app does not signal the end of its underlying technology. The Sora 2 model remains available through ChatGPT’s paid subscription tier, indicating a strategic pivot from a standalone social product to an integrated tool within a broader ecosystem. This move suggests that the most viable path for advanced AI video generation may be as a feature within existing platforms rather than as the foundation of a new social network. Other companies, including startups and major tech firms, continue to develop similar generative video models. Consequently, the societal challenges posed by accessible deepfake technology are far from resolved. Experts anticipate that new applications will emerge, continuing to test the boundaries of content moderation, intellectual property law, and digital ethics. Conclusion The OpenAI Sora shutdown represents a cautionary tale in the rapid evolution of artificial intelligence and social media. While the technical achievement of the Sora 2 model is undeniable, its application as the core of a social network failed to resonate with users on a lasting scale. The experiment highlighted significant unresolved issues regarding the ethical deployment of deepfake technology and the difficulty of building community around purely synthetic content. As AI continues to advance, the industry must learn from Sora’s shortcomings, focusing on sustainable integration, robust ethical safeguards, and genuine user value rather than fleeting technological novelty. FAQs Q1: Why did OpenAI shut down the Sora app? OpenAI has not provided a specific public reason. However, available data shows a sharp decline in downloads after an initial peak, combined with significant content moderation challenges and potential high operational costs relative to its revenue. Q2: Can I still use the Sora video generation technology? Yes. The underlying Sora 2 model is still accessible to users with a paid ChatGPT Plus subscription. It is no longer available as a standalone social media application. Q3: What happened to the Disney deal with OpenAI for Sora? The reported $1 billion investment and licensing deal between Disney and OpenAI, which would have allowed Sora to use Disney characters, has collapsed following the app’s shutdown. No money was exchanged before the deal was terminated. Q4: How successful was the Sora app in terms of users and revenue? At its peak in November 2025, Sora saw about 3.3 million downloads. It generated an estimated $2.1 million in lifetime revenue from in-app purchases before its closure in March 2026. Q5: Does the Sora shutdown mean AI social apps are doomed? Not necessarily. It indicates that an app based solely on AI-generated content struggled with retention. Future successful implementations will likely blend AI tools with human creativity and social interaction, rather than relying exclusively on synthetic content. This post OpenAI Sora Shutdown: The Stunning Collapse of an AI Social Media Experiment first appeared on BitcoinWorld .