TikTok is going to get a deal…
USA will have a bigger stake than CCP’s ByteDance.
But it’s only just beginning… a new battle against CCP Tech has already started… welcome back…
Keep reading…
CHINA, TIKTOK, AND YOUR WIFI ROUTER: CONGRESS WANTS A BAN. Congress is zeroing in on TP-Link routers, warning they could be China’s next big cyber weapon. A ban could kick in within a year, targeting internet devices used in millions of U.S. homes.
—> TIKTOK DEJA VU? Illinois Democrat Raja Krishnamoorthi, a key player in the TikTok ban, is pushing hard for action against TP-Link, citing vulnerabilities to Chinese cyberespionage.
—> ROUTERS UNDER THE MICROSCOPE: TP-Link, which holds 65% of the U.S. router market, says its products are made in Vietnam and sold through a California company. But critics argue the risks are too great to ignore.
Source: CNBC.
hello, future. it’s me, kev.
…and this is a dispatch from the digital frontier. It’s time to meet the future NOW — with the latest on markets, tech, and freedom. The day is 26. The year is 2025. The planet is Earth. My name is Kevin Cirilli —> LinkedIn. Sign-up to receive the future in your inbox here.
Back to the future...
CRYPTO
TOKEN DISPATCH: BITCOIN’S QUANTUM COMPUTING PROBLEM. A worthwhile 10-minute read deep-dive into how the crypto world is on the cusp of being upended by quantum computing, via
on Substack:The quantum threat to Bitcoin isn't merely about today's capabilities — it's about tomorrow's possibilities. And more importantly, about the $107 billion sitting in Satoshi's vulnerable old wallets.
The implications are staggering. If quantum computing could crack Bitcoin's cryptography, we're not just talking about the potential theft of billions in digital assets.
BITCOIN’S QUANTUM DILEMMA: IS CRYPTO READY FOR THE FUTURE? Quantum computing could unravel the security backbone of Bitcoin—and the entire crypto ecosystem. But is crypto doomed, or can it evolve faster than quantum hackers?
—> QUANTUM THREAT 101: Bitcoin’s encryption relies on mathematical puzzles that quantum computers could solve in seconds, potentially exposing wallets and transactions. Researchers warn the race is on to secure crypto before quantum tech matures.
—> THE FUTURE FIX: Post-quantum cryptography is emerging as the industry’s best defense, with algorithms designed to withstand quantum attacks. Will Bitcoin adapt in time, or will the quantum age usher in a new era of digital currency?
Source: Bit Perfect.
SPACE
PLANETARY PARADE —> ONCE IN A FOUR HUNDRED YEARS… THE PLANETS ALIGN… FOR PLANET EARTH. More via Space.com:
Four bright planets are visible together in the night sky this month in what NASA calls a "planetary parade" that is a must-see for stargazers.
Venus, Mars, Jupiter and Saturn will each take a star turn in the night sky in January (Mars will be its closest to Earth of the year this weekend), so if you're wondering what some of the more striking bright "stars" in the sky are this month, they may actually be planets.
Source: Space.com.
QUANTUM // ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE
QUANTUM COMPUTING IS GETTING A MASSIVE CASH BOOST. A new study shows global quantum computing budgets are set to surge by 20%. As confidence grows, so does the race to own the next tech revolution.
—> BIG BUCKS, BIG DREAMS: Companies and governments are pouring billions into quantum tech to solve problems we didn’t even know we had. Think faster AI, unhackable encryption, and cracking nature's biggest mysteries.
—> THE QUANTUM ARMS RACE: With the U.S., Europe, and China leading the charge, the future of computing is a high-stakes game. Spoiler: whoever wins gets to rewrite the rules of technology.
Source: Quantum Insider.
QUANTUM / ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE
NY BANS PHONES IN SCHOOLS. New York Gov. Hochul wants a cellphone ban in schools, and Gen Z is in shambles. The proposed budget includes measures to cut screen time and force kids to actually pay attention.
—> “NO TIKTOK IN CLASS”: Officials claim this will improve education and focus, but students are already planning underground TikTok resistance movements.
—> PARENTS DIVIDED: Some say it’s a win for learning, while others worry about emergencies. Either way, looks like kids will have to bring back passing notes the old-fashioned way.
Source: CBS News.
META RAY-BAN SMART GLASSES EYE SUPER BOWL TAKEOVER. Meta is taking center stage at Super Bowl LIX with a bold push for smart eyewear dominance. Featuring Chris Hemsworth and Chris Pratt, the ad spot showcases Meta’s Ray-Ban Meta Glasses—a sleek, AI-powered accessory designed to make augmented reality (AR) an everyday experience.
META VS. APPLE: A 3-YEAR HEAD START. While Apple opts for a premium, bulky headset priced at $3,499, Meta’s Ray-Ban glasses prioritize accessibility and casual, everyday use. The glasses blend AI and AR features with timeless style, aiming for widespread adoption now. A new Bloomberg report out earlier today says Apple’s AR glasses won’t come out for another three years!
AR FOR EVERYDAY LIFE. But how will we be using these glasses? Well, eventually, we’ll wear them non-stop. Here’s just three use cases:
ON THE GOLF COURSE: AR glasses can map out the course, track your swing, and suggest the perfect club for your next shot—all in real-time.
FOR BIKERS… HUNTERS: Imagine a wearable assistant that helps track targets, map terrain, and even provide weather updates while you stay focused.
IN THE OPERATING ROOM: Surgeons could overlay critical information, like patient vitals or 3D organ maps, directly onto their vision, making procedures faster and more precise.
OAKLEY IN THE MIX? Rumors suggest Meta is eyeing a partnership with Oakley to create high-performance AR glasses for athletes and outdoor enthusiasts. This could expand Meta’s lineup beyond casual users to target runners, cyclists, and adventurers who need both cutting-edge tech and durable design.
Source: Variety; RoadtoVR.com.
GEOPOLITICS
CIA SAYS COVID-19 LIKELY A LAB LEAK. The CIA has concluded, with “low confidence,” that Covid-19 most likely originated from a lab mishap in Wuhan, China. This aligns with assessments by the FBI and Energy Department, reigniting debates about the pandemic's origins.
—> CIA CHIEF SPEAKS OUT: Newly confirmed CIA Director John Ratcliffe says uncovering the truth about Covid’s origins is a “day one” priority.
Source: WSJ; Associated Press.
TRUMP 2.0 AND ELON MUSK DECLARE WAR ON PENNIES. Trump 2.0 is going to war against pennies to save big bucks…
—> THE PENNY PROBLEM: Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) is spearheading the charge to abolish pennies. Trump calls them “obsolete” and “an embarrassment,” saying, “It’s time to stop wasting billions on coins no one uses.”
Cost of Production: The penny costs more than 3 cents to make, according to DOGE's post on X.
Taxpayer Impact: Producing pennies cost U.S. taxpayers over $179 million in the 2023 fiscal year.
Mint Production Stats: The U.S. Mint produced 4.5 billion pennies in FY2023, accounting for around 40% of the 11.4 billion coins circulated that year.
Circulated Pennies: In 2023, the U.S. Mint reported circulating approximately 4.1 billion pennies.
Cost Increase: The U.S. Mint's FY2024 report revealed the cost of producing and distributing a penny rose to 3.7 cents, a 20% increase from the previous year.
Reason for Rising Costs: Higher costs for metals like zinc and copper are driving the increased production expenses.
Source: Fox Business; DOGE via X; U.S. Mint.
ONE MORE THING
GO [DRONE] BIRDS! Philly Eagle fans have a lot to celebrate… and it includes an awesome drone display above the Rock Steps (aka: Philly Art Museum). Check out this photo from the Philly Inquirer:
Go Birds!
With gratitude,
Kev
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