Is your robotaxi ride being watched and analyzed to train AI and serve you personalized ads? Buckle up, because Waymo, a leader in autonomous vehicle technology, is reportedly planning to leverage data from its robotaxis’ interior cameras for exactly that. This groundbreaking move, initially spotted in an unreleased privacy policy, is raising significant eyebrows in the tech and privacy spheres, especially for those concerned about data usage in the age of ever-evolving artificial intelligence. Waymo AI and Generative AI: A Data-Driven Future? According to tech researcher Jane Manchun Wong, Waymo is exploring the use of “interior camera data associated with rider’s identity” to train its generative AI models. This isn’t just about improving navigation or vehicle performance; it’s about potentially understanding rider behavior within the autonomous vehicle to an unprecedented degree. Imagine AI models trained on your reactions, expressions, and movements inside a robotaxi. This data goldmine could fuel a new wave of AI innovation, but at what cost to personal privacy? Waymo is working on Generative AI training using “interior camera data associated with rider’s identity,” provides opt-opts for this and data sharing under CCPA Waymo explicitly states in this unreleased Privacy page it may share your data for personalized ads pic.twitter.com/y4y9f6WwI1 — Jane Manchun Wong (@wongmjane) April 5, 2025 Robotaxi Data Privacy: Are Your Rides Private? The revelation brings robotaxi data privacy into sharp focus. While Waymo assures riders of opt-out options for data sharing and AI training, the very idea of interior camera data being used for these purposes is unsettling for many. The unreleased privacy policy states Waymo might share data to: Improve and analyze its functionality. Tailor products, services, ads, and offers to your interests. While the first point is understandable for service improvement, the second raises immediate red flags about personalized advertising. It’s one thing to see targeted ads online, but the prospect of in-vehicle ads tailored to your robotaxi behavior feels distinctly more intrusive. Autonomous Vehicles and the Ad Revenue Stream: A New Frontier? Waymo explicitly states it “may share your data for personalized ads.” This hints at a potential new revenue stream for autonomous vehicles beyond ride fares. As Waymo expands its robotaxi services across cities like Los Angeles, San Francisco, Phoenix, and Austin, the volume of ride data, including interior camera footage, is set to explode. With over 200,000 paid weekly rides, the data collection potential is immense. Waymo’s Robotaxi Growth (Weekly Rides): Period Weekly Rides Two Years Ago 10,000 As of February 2025 200,000+ This growth trajectory, coupled with expansion plans into Atlanta, Miami, and Washington D.C., underscores the increasing significance of data generated by its fleet. But is monetizing this data through targeted ads the right path, or does it cross a crucial privacy line? Data Sharing Concerns: Who Has Access to Your Robotaxi Data? The ambiguity surrounding data sharing is another key concern. It’s unclear what specific interior data will be used for AI training. Facial expressions? Body language? And crucially, is Waymo sharing this sensitive data with other Alphabet entities like Google or DeepMind, which are heavily invested in AI development? The privacy policy mentions opting out of sharing with “third parties,” but the definition of “third parties” in Alphabet’s vast ecosystem could be interpreted narrowly. The lack of transparency regarding data usage and sharing raises valid questions about control and consent. Navigating the Ethical Crossroads of AI and Privacy Waymo’s move highlights the complex ethical landscape of AI development, especially in the context of personal data. While the company offers opt-out options, the onus is on the user to be aware and actively manage their privacy settings. Many may be unaware of the depth of data collection or the implications of opting in or out. As autonomous vehicles become more integrated into our daily lives, striking a balance between innovation, revenue generation, and user privacy is paramount. The industry needs to proactively address these concerns to build trust and ensure a future where technological advancements don’t come at the cost of fundamental privacy rights. Bitcoin World has reached out to Waymo for further clarification on these points and will update this article as more information becomes available. To learn more about the latest generative AI trends, explore our article on key developments shaping AI features.
Bitcoin faced a notable sell pressure earlier today, with its price trading as low as $74,604. However, at the time of writing, the asset is seeing a quiet rebound with prices now hovering back above $79,000. Regardless of this slight uptick, the asset is still down by 3.1% in the past day and nearly 30% from its peak above $109,000 registered in January. According to CryptoQuant contributor IT Tech, a significant shift may be underway. Related Reading: Understanding Bitcoin Struggles: Why Realized Cap Indicates A Bear Market Old Coins Starts To Move: Sell Off ahead? In a recent analysis titled “Massive spike in Exchange Inflow CDD signals old coins are waking up,” IT Tech noted a considerable surge in the Exchange Inflow Coin Days Destroyed (CDD) metric. CDD measures the movement of older coins—those that have not changed hands for a long time. When coins with high coin days are moved, it often indicates that long-term holders are transferring their assets to exchanges, potentially with the intent to sell. Historically, spikes in Exchange Inflow CDD have preceded large price corrections. IT Tech highlighted that the latest surge in this metric coincided with Bitcoin’s drop from $82,000 to $76,000, suggesting that some veteran holders may be preparing to liquidate their positions. Such behavior tends to exert additional sell pressure on the market, particularly during already volatile conditions. These movements could indicate an inflection point, with older investors potentially looking to secure profits amid broader market uncertainty. If this trend continues, it could serve as a bearish signal, as coins dormant for months or years re-enter circulation. Bitcoin Short-Term Metrics Indicate Possible Cooling Trend Meanwhile, in a separate analysis, another CryptoQuant analyst BilalHuseynov offered insights into short-term holder behavior through the lens of realized price data. In a post titled “Bitcoin: Realized Price – UTXO Age Bands,” the analyst examined how the realized prices for coins held by short-term investors—specifically those held for one week to one month and one to three months—can reveal the health of the ongoing market trend. These UTXO age bands help determine whether recent buyers are holding in profit or loss. In bullish phases, these bands trend upwards, signaling accumulation. However, at market tops, the lines tend to flatten or decline, indicating distribution by short-term participants. According to Huseynov, this is what the current data reflects. The 1-month to 3-month realized price is curving downward, echoing patterns seen at previous peaks in April and November 2021, and more recently in March 2025. Related Reading: Bitcoin’s Bullish Fate Hinges On These 2 Resistance Zones – Details If this trend persists, it could mean that newer holders are facing losses and may soon capitulate, possibly leading to further downside. Conversely, during past bear cycles, these bands have often marked bottom zones where prices found support and reversed. Featured image created with DALL-E, Chart from TradingView
Ripple is forecasting a massive $18.9 trillion explosion in tokenized real-world assets by 2033, transforming the core of global finance. Tokenized Assets Set to Explode—Ripple and BCG Reveal Urgent Timeline Ripple published a new market outlook Monday, forecasting an unprecedented shift in financial asset infrastructure. The report, developed in partnership with Boston Consulting Group (BCG),
At the recent Web3 Scholar Summit 2025 held in Hong Kong, Ethereum’s co-founder Vitalik Buterin highlighted the pressing need for optimized withdrawal processes for layer-2 networks, specifically referencing the OP
Ethereum price failed to recover above $1,700 and dropped below $1,550. ETH is now correcting losses and might face resistance near the $1,620 zone. Ethereum failed to stay above the $1,620 and $1,550 levels. The price is trading below $1,620 and the 100-hourly Simple Moving Average. There is a connecting bearish trend line forming with resistance at $1,615 on the hourly chart of ETH/USD (data feed via Kraken). The pair remains at risk of more losses if it fails to clear the $1,620 resistance zone. Ethereum Price Recovery Faces Resistance Ethereum price failed to stay above the $1,700 support zone and extended losses, like Bitcoin . ETH declined heavily below the $1,650 and $1,620 levels. The bears even pushed the price below the $1,550 level. A low was formed at $1,410 and the price recently corrected some losses . There was a move above the $1,550 level. The price climbed above the 23.6% Fib retracement level of the downward move from the $1,815 swing high to the $1,410 low. However, the bears are active near the $1,620 zone. Ethereum price is now trading below $1,620 and the 100-hourly Simple Moving Average. On the upside, the price seems to be facing hurdles near the $1,615 level. There is also a connecting bearish trend line forming with resistance at $1,615 on the hourly chart of ETH/USD. It is close to the 50% Fib retracement level of the downward move from the $1,815 swing high to the $1,410 low. The next key resistance is near the $1,660 level. The first major resistance is near the $1,720 level. A clear move above the $1,720 resistance might send the price toward the $1,820 resistance. An upside break above the $1,820 resistance might call for more gains in the coming sessions. In the stated case, Ether could rise toward the $1,880 resistance zone or even $1,920 in the near term. Another Decline In ETH? If Ethereum fails to clear the $1,620 resistance, it could start another decline. Initial support on the downside is near the $1,540 level. The first major support sits near the $1,505 zone. A clear move below the $1,505 support might push the price toward the $1,420 support. Any more losses might send the price toward the $1,380 support level in the near term. The next key support sits at $1,320. Technical Indicators Hourly MACD – The MACD for ETH/USD is losing momentum in the bullish zone. Hourly RSI – The RSI for ETH/USD is now above the 50 zone. Major Support Level – $1,540 Major Resistance Level – $1,620
Rumors were finally put to rest when video game retailer GameStop (GME) officially announced that it is planning to buy Bitcoin with corporate cash. In response, the meme stock price initially jumped only to succumb to the uncertainty plaguing the stock market as President Donald Trump announced heavy tariffs . The concerns over a global trade war have ignited a fresh wave of volatility in the market. Vibes and sentiments in the crypto market have already been severely negative and firmly in the ‘ fear ’ category ever since President Trump’s inauguration as the 47th President of the US on Jan. 20. That day, Bitcoin hit an all-time high (ATH) of $109,000 only to lose 23.1% of its value since then. This drawdown ended up obliterating altcoins and meme coins that have the total crypto market cap now sitting under $2.8 trillion, as per CoinGecko . However, things may finally change when GME actually begins the purchase and adds BTC to the company’s balance sheet. Substantial buying pressure like this has the potential to change market sentiments completely and bring in a much-needed fresh wave of bullish momentum. GameStop’s Bitcoin Investment Plans Speculations that GME will buy Bitcoin first started when GameStop CEO Ryan Cohen met up with Michael Saylor, the executive chair of the biggest public company by BTC holdings. Cohen actually posted a photo of himself with Saylor on X, which got the crypto community talking. CNBC also reported that GameStop is exploring investing in alternative asset classes, Bitcoin in particular, citing three unnamed sources. Just the consideration of the investment sent GME’s stock price soaring. A couple of weeks after that, Strive CEO Matt Cole sent a letter to Cohen and encouraged GME to adopt BTC as a reserve asset. “We believe GameStop has an incredible opportunity to transform its financial future by becoming the premier bitcoin treasury company in the gaming sector,” read the letter. Now, finally, a week ago, GameStop announced that the board has unanimously approved a plan to buy Bitcoin with its corporate cash. The company currently holds about $4.8 billion in cash. According to the video game retailer, a portion of its cash or future debt and equity issuances may be invested in BTC as well as U.S. dollar-denominated stablecoins. GameStop also said that it has not set a limit on the amount of crypto it would purchase. This week, GameStop raised $1.5 billion via a convertible note offering and has already earmarked the funds to acquire Bitcoin. In a filing with the SEC, the video game retailer said it plans to use the net proceeds from the offering for “general corporate purposes, including the acquisition of Bitcoin.” The Decentralized GME Revolution The crypto industry is excited about this upcoming purchase and its impact on the broad crypto market. The GME Ethereum community is also thrilled about what’s ahead and conducted a space on X, discussing the potential of such a big move from GME. https://t.co/wJDLd5Zri8 — GME Ethereum (@GMEethereum) April 3, 2025 GME Ethereum is a digital representation of the GameStop saga that saw the value of this stock skyrocketing as retail came together to fight institutions and hedge funds. Built on the secure Ethereum blockchain, GME Ethereum operates in a completely decentralized ecosystem. There’s no centralized party in control here as developers have renounced their ownership, giving the community full control over the project. Amidst the growing GME movement, GME Ethereum recently reached a milestone of 10,000 holders. Given the meme coin, GME Ethereum’s connection with the meme stock GME, crypto accumulation from the video retailer has the potential to send its prices higher. Already, it has been the most active meme coin on Ethereum, so even a tiny spark could ignite an explosive rally, sending GME Ethereum and the broader meme coin market into overdrive.
Last week, digital asset investment products experienced $240 million in outflows, likely triggered by recent US trade tariff developments that could jeopardize economic growth. However, total assets under management remained steady at $132.6 billion, reflecting a slight 0.8% increase. CoinShares stated that this stability is impressive when compared to other asset classes, such as MSCI World equities, which dropped 8.5% during the same period, highlighting the strength of digital assets in the face of economic uncertainty. According to the latest edition of CoinShares’ Digital Asset Fund Flows Weekly Report , the bulk of the outflows came from Bitcoin as $207 million left the market over the past week, which reduced its total year-to-date inflows to $1.3 billion. Short-Bitcoin saw $2.8 million in inflows during the same period. Altcoin flows were quite varied, as Ethereum experienced withdrawals worth $37.7 million, and Solana and Sui saw outflows of $1.8 million and $4.7 million, respectively. On the other hand, XRP saw positive movement with $4.5 million in inflows, followed by multi-asset products with $1.4 million. Toncoin, a more “esoteric” token, also saw a gain of $1.1 million in inflows. For the second consecutive week, blockchain equities saw $8 million in inflows, with investors perceiving the recent price weakness as a chance to purchase. Regional outflows were significant, with the US and Germany leading the way with $210 million and $17.7 million in outflows, respectively. Switzerland and Sweden followed with $8.3 million and $7.1 million. Contrastingly, Canadian investors saw the market volatility as an opportunity to increase their positions, which resulted in inflows of $4.8 million. Brazil and Hong Kong saw more modest inflows of $1.4 million and $0.8 million, with Australia attracting $0.6 million. The post Digital Asset Outflows Hit $240 Million Amid US Trade Tariff Concerns appeared first on CryptoPotato .
Australia’s corporate watchdog has been given the nod to shut down 95 “hydra” companies that it suspects engaged in crypto investment and romance scams, known as “pig butchering.” The Australian Securities and Investments Commission’s application to wind up the companies was approved by the Federal Court of Australia on just and equitable grounds after ASIC found that most of the companies had been incorporated with false information. Many of these companies were set up purporting to provide “genuine services” but were instead believed to be scamming their victims, ASIC Deputy Chair Sarah Court said in an April 8 statement. “There appears to be a common pattern of scam activity in the nature of ‘pig butchering,’” Justice Angus Stewart said in an April 4 court ruling after looking at 48 “Reviews of Misconduct” from 17 companies accused of facilitating romance scams. The judgment was made on March 21. Source: Rocky Perrotta Pig butchering scams involve scammers building fake relationships with victims to win their trust before convincing them to invest in a fraudulent crypto or financial scheme. The securities regulator also suspects that much of the scam activity is coming from Southeast Asia. Insolvency and restructuring advisers Catherine Conneely and Thomas Birch of Cor Cordis have been appointed as joint liquidators of the 95 companies. Related: Australian regulator’s ‘blitz’ hits crypto exchanges, money remitters Nearly 1,500 claims by “investors” had been received by the provisional liquidators, amounting to total claims of over $35.8 million, according to the court order. The claimants are based in 14 countries, including Australia, the US, Cameroon, Ghana, India, Nepal, the Philippines and France. The provisional liquidators found that only three of the 95 firms had assets to their name and recommended that the other 92 companies be wound up and immediately deregistered. ASIC shutting down scam websites ASIC said it has been removing around 130 scam websites each week of late, bringing its total to over 10,000 sites, which have included over 7,200 fake investment platform scams and 1,564 phishing scams. “However, these scams are like hydras: you shut down one and two more take its place. That's why we're warning consumers that the threat of scams and identity fraud remains high. We remind consumers to be vigilant,” Court said. Australia’s National Anti-Scam Centre recently reported a 26% fall in scam losses to $2 billion in 2024, while the number of scam reports also fell by 17.8% to 494,732. Magazine: Financial nihilism in crypto is over — It’s time to dream big again
On April 8th, COINOTAG reported that Teucrium Investment Advisors LLC has announced the launch of its innovative leveraged XRP ETF, known as the Teucrium 2x Long Daily XRP ETF (XXRP).
For crypto enthusiasts always seeking deeper insights and faster information, imagine a world where your visual inquiries are as powerful as your text-based searches. Google is bringing this vision closer to reality with its latest Google AI Mode update. This groundbreaking feature now allows users to ask complex questions about images, opening up a new dimension of visual search capabilities. Think of it as having a super-smart AI assistant that can not only see what you see but also understand it deeply and answer your intricate questions based on visual data. Unlocking Visual Insights with Google AI Mode Google AI Mode , Google’s experimental search feature designed for complex and multi-layered queries, has just leveled up. Users with access to this innovative mode can now leverage its power to analyze images. This means you can upload photos or use your camera directly within Google Search and pose questions about them. This isn’t just simple image recognition; it’s a sophisticated understanding of visual content that goes beyond identifying objects. Powered by the robust multimodal capabilities of Google Lens, this new feature enables AI Image Search to comprehend entire scenes within an image. According to Google’s official announcement, Google AI Mode can discern the relationships between objects, understand their materials, colors, shapes, and spatial arrangement. This comprehensive understanding allows for a far more nuanced and informative search experience compared to traditional keyword-based queries. How Does AI-Powered Image Questioning Work? The magic behind this enhanced visual search lies in a technique Google calls “query fan-out.” Instead of just answering your direct question, Google AI Mode proactively asks multiple related questions about both the image as a whole and the individual elements within it. This proactive approach allows the AI to gather a more comprehensive understanding and provide richer, more detailed information than a standard search. Let’s break down the process: Image Upload or Capture: You begin by uploading an image or taking a photo directly within the Google AI Mode interface. Query Input: You then type in your complex question related to the image. AI Analysis: Google AI Mode , powered by Google Lens, analyzes the image, understanding objects, context, and relationships. Query Fan-Out: The AI generates and asks multiple internal questions to explore different facets of the image and your query. Detailed Response: Finally, Google AI Mode provides a detailed answer based on its comprehensive analysis, often going beyond a simple keyword match. Practical Examples of AI Image Analysis in Action Imagine you’re a book enthusiast. You can now simply snap a photo of your bookshelf and ask Google AI Mode : “If I enjoyed these, what are some similar books that are highly rated?” Here’s what happens: Book Identification: Google AI Mode instantly identifies each book on your shelf. Similarity Analysis: It then analyzes the themes, genres, and authors of these books. Recommendation Engine: Based on this analysis, it generates a list of highly-rated, similar books. Actionable Links: The recommendations come with direct links, allowing you to easily learn more about each book or even purchase them online. But the interaction doesn’t stop there. Google AI Mode allows for follow-up questions, enabling you to refine your search further. For example, you could ask: “I’m looking for a quick read, which one of these recommendations is the shortest?” The AI will then filter the recommendations based on your new criteria, showcasing its ability to understand context and engage in a conversational search experience. Expanding Access and Taking on Competitors Google is making Google AI Mode more widely accessible, rolling it out to millions more users enrolled in Google Labs, their platform for experimental features. Previously, this powerful tool was limited to Google One AI Premium subscribers. This broader release signals Google’s commitment to making advanced AI Image Search technology available to a wider audience. This move also positions Google AI Mode as a direct competitor to emerging services like Perplexity and OpenAI’s ChatGPT Search, which are also pushing the boundaries of AI-powered search. As the landscape of information retrieval evolves, Google AI Mode is poised to be a significant player, offering a unique blend of visual and textual understanding. The Future of Visual Search is Here Google has stated that they are committed to continuous refinement of the user experience and further expansion of Google AI Mode functionality. This suggests that we can expect even more innovative features and improvements in the near future, making visual search an increasingly integral part of how we interact with information online. For those in the cryptocurrency and blockchain space, the implications of such advanced Image Analysis and Multimodal Search are vast. Imagine quickly analyzing complex charts, infographics, or even screenshots of market trends simply by asking Google AI Mode targeted questions. The ability to extract insights from visual data with such ease can be a game-changer for research, analysis, and staying ahead in the fast-paced world of crypto. Revolutionary Google AI Mode is not just an incremental update; it’s a leap forward in how we interact with visual information. By blending the power of AI Image Search with conversational querying, Google is unlocking a new era of intuitive and insightful search experiences. Get ready to see the world, and search it, in a whole new way. To learn more about the latest AI trends, explore our article on key developments shaping AI Models features .