QUANTUM // ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE
WILL TRUMP NAME A QUANTUM CZAR? President Trump is set to address the nation Tuesday night, and the quantum industry is watching closely. With China and Europe outpacing the U.S. in quantum computing investment, industry leaders are pushing for the White House to appoint a "Quantum Czar" to lead national strategy. The goal? Supercharge federal funding and ensure the U.S. remains competitive in the race for quantum supremacy.
—> WHAT IS QUANTUM COMPUTING? Unlike traditional computers that use bits (1s and 0s), quantum computers operate with qubits, which can be both at once. Translation: This allows quantum computers to solve complex problems millions of times faster than today’s supercomputers. But the tech is still in its infancy, and scaling up to practical applications will take massive investment and research.
—> WHY YOU CARE: Quantum computing isn’t just another tech trend—it could reshape cybersecurity, finance, AI, and national security. Whoever dominates quantum will control encryption, outpace competitors in AI, and revolutionize scientific research. China has already committed $15 billion to quantum research, while the U.S. has spent just $3 billion. Without aggressive action, the U.S. risks falling behind in the next major computing revolution.
—> WHEN WILL QUANTUM BECOME REALITY? Experts say large-scale, commercially viable quantum computers are still 5-15 years away, but that doesn’t mean the race isn’t happening now. Google, Amazon, IBM, and Microsoft are already investing billions to develop working quantum systems, and military agencies are looking at how quantum can impact national defense.
—> HOW WILL QUANTUM BE USED?
Cybersecurity: Quantum computers could break current encryption, forcing governments and businesses to rethink online security.
AI & Machine Learning: Quantum could supercharge AI models, leading to faster breakthroughs.
Drug Discovery: Scientists could simulate complex molecules, accelerating medical research.
Finance: Quantum could optimize trading strategies, making financial markets more efficient.
—> MEET THE FUTURE With pressure mounting, will Trump commit to a national quantum strategy? The industry wants a Quantum Czar to coordinate investment, but the administration has been slow to act. If the U.S. doesn’t step up, quantum dominance could shift to China or Europe, shaping the future of encryption, AI, and finance on their terms. Eyes are on Trump’s speech—will he make the move?
Source: The Quantum Insider.
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FUTURES
TRUMP SLAPS 25% TARIFFS ON CANADA & MEXICO—MARKETS TANK. Wall Street took a major hit Monday after President Trump announced that new 25% tariffs on Canada and Mexico will take effect Tuesday, shutting down any last-minute negotiations. The S&P 500 plunged 1.8%, erasing most of its post-election gains, as investors scrambled to reassess trade risks.
—> WHY IT MATTERS: The move escalates trade tensions with America’s closest neighbors, threatening auto supply chains, driving up prices, and straining diplomatic relations. Trump insists the tariffs will force companies to build factories in the U.S., but businesses warn this will raise costs for American consumers.
MARKETS REACT 📉:
S&P 500: Down 1.8%, wiping out most of its post-election gains.
Dow Jones: Dropped nearly 600 points before stabilizing.
Nasdaq: Plunged as tech stocks struggled under economic uncertainty.
—> WHAT ABOUT CHINA? Trump is also hiking tariffs on Chinese goods by another 10%, adding to earlier levies imposed in February. The goal? Punish China over fentanyl production and put economic pressure on Beijing.
CRYPTO
TRUMP WANTS A CRYPTO RESERVE—BUT REPUBLICAN STATES ARE UNSURE. As we reported yesterday, Trump is pushing for a national crypto reserve, but Republican lawmakers in states like Montana, North Dakota, and Wyoming are rejecting Bitcoin reserve bills, calling them a “speculation with taxpayer dollars.” Meanwhile, Arizona and Utah are moving forward, setting up a battle over Bitcoin’s place in state finances.
—> WHY IT MATTERS: Nearly 30 states have proposed Bitcoin Reserve bills to hedge against inflation, but GOP lawmakers are proving to be the biggest obstacle—not Democrats. Montana’s GOP-led House shot down a Bitcoin bill 41-59, while Wyoming’s own crypto-friendly Senator Cynthia Lummis saw her colleagues reject a similar initiative.
—> WHICH STATES ARE ALL IN?
Utah is close to passing a bill allowing up to 5% of state funds to be invested in Bitcoin.
Arizona is going bigger—its Strategic Bitcoin Reserve Act could allocate 10% of state and public funds (including pensions!) to BTC.
—> MEET THE FUTURE: With Trump pushing for a U.S. crypto reserve, but state-level GOP lawmakers blocking it in their own backyards, the fight over Bitcoin’s future in government finance is just getting started. Could Arizona or Utah set the blueprint for a red-state crypto revolution—or will political resistance keep Bitcoin out of the treasury?
Source: Cryptonews
SPACE
GOLDEN DOME REPLACES IRON DOME—NEW NAME, SAME MISSION? The Pentagon has rebranded its missile defense initiative from Iron Dome for America to Golden Dome, signaling a shift in messaging but not necessarily in strategy.
—> WHY THE CHANGE? The Trump administration says the new name better reflects the expanded scope of the program, which aims to integrate space-based missile interceptors with traditional air and missile defense systems.
—> WHAT'S NEXT? While the Golden Dome concept includes ambitious plans for AI-driven tracking and laser interceptors, Congress still has to approve major funding increases. Meanwhile, critics argue the rebrand is more about optics than actual defense upgrades.
Source: SpaceNews
ONE MORE THING
BILL GATES: THE COLLEGE DROPOUT WHO PICKED UP THE RIGHT CALL. Bill Gates just confirmed what every overworked college student dreams of—skipping class changed his life. In a new interview, Gates says his real education began when he ditched Harvard lectures to chase a contract with IBM, a move that set Microsoft on its path to global domination.
—> WHY IT MATTERS: Gates' story isn’t just about luck—it’s about recognizing the right moment to take a risk. His teenage gamble helped turn Microsoft into a tech empire, proving that sometimes the biggest breakthroughs don’t happen in a classroom.
—> WHAT’S NEXT: With AI shaking up jobs and redefining education, Gates thinks future entrepreneurs might not need a degree at all. But is that practical advice—or just billionaire hindsight?
Source: Fortune
With gratitude,
Kev
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