Manycore Tech, a Hangzhou-based spatial AI firm, successfully launched on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange, raising US$157 million. The company's stock opened significantly higher, reflecting strong investor demand and a turnaround to profitability after years of losses.

Democratic senators are scrutinizing the Trump administration's oversight of a cryptocurrency exchange linked to $1.7 billion in Iranian transactions, questioning its AML controls and a lenient bank settlement on sanctions evasion.

U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal has requested clarification from the DOJ and FinCEN regarding compliance monitors for a major cryptocurrency exchange, amid concerns over compliance failures linked to substantial funds associated with Iran.

The Korea Battery Industry Association and Germany's Fraunhofer Institute signed an MOU to enhance battery technology cooperation, aiming to help Korean companies meet EU market requirements. Their collaboration focuses on R&D, supply chain development, and safety solutions in line with the EU's new regulations.

Naver and Kakao are expected to report strong Q1 2026 earnings driven by commerce and advertising, despite limited impact from early-stage AI products. Both companies are significantly investing in AI infrastructure and shifting strategies to integrate AI into existing services.

Elon Musk's xAI will provide computing power to programming startup Cursor, utilizing thousands of GPUs to train its new code model. This shift enhances xAI’s role in computing services, potentially increasing revenue and addressing operational costs amid ongoing losses.

Nvidia's new AI product suite, Ising, launched on April 14, enhances quantum error correction, boosting speed by 2.5 times and accuracy by three times. This announcement spurred a significant rise in quantum computing stocks, indicating strong market interest, even amid volatility.

Retail investors have returned to the U.S. stock market, driving major indices to record highs amid geopolitical tensions. The S&P 500 surpassed 7,000 points, led by a surge in quantum computing stocks and increased retail activity. However, economic risks remain, including rising oil prices and inflation concerns.

Qualcomm selected 10 startups for its 2026 Make in Africa Program, including Nigeria's Anatsor and D-Olivette Labs. They will receive mentorship, technology access, training, and stipends, with patenting support available.

Nvidia's new open-source AI tools for quantum systems prompted a significant surge in global quantum computing stocks. The Ising model addresses error correction and calibration challenges, achieving faster execution and improved accuracy. Market growth is projected to exceed $11 billion by 2030, with Europe leading advancements.