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Microsoft unveils AI-powered Copilot 

Microsoft has taken another step toward integrating AI technology into its products. On Sept. 21, the company announced Microsoft Copilot, which merges interfaces on Windows with language models. 

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Microsoft has taken another step toward integrating AI technology into its products. On Sept. 21, the company announced Microsoft Copilot, which merges interfaces on Windows with language models. 

According to Microsoft’s announcement, the solution will work as an app or reveal itself to users by right-clicking. It will be available as enhancements on popular apps like Paint, Photos and Clipchamp. Across other products, search engine Bing will be supported by OpenAI’s new DALL-E 3 model, while Microsoft 365 Copilot will integrate a chat assistant for enterprise solutions.

We are entering a new era of AI, one that is fundamentally changing how we relate to and benefit from technology, Microsoft stated in the announcement. An early version of Copilot will be available as a free Windows 11 update starting Sept. 26 and across Bing, Edge and Microsoft 365 later this year, said the company.

One of the tech giant’s bets is its Microsoft 365 Copilot, designed to assist users and enterprises with repetitive tasks, such as writing documents, summarizing and presentations. The solution works through Microsoft’s traditional applications — such as Word, Excel and PowerPoint — and costs $30 a month per user, on top of the subscription fee for accessing Microsoft 365 apps.

According to projections by financial firm Macquarie for Fortune, Microsoft has an estimated 382 million commercial users for its Office 365 product. Based on the report’s estimations, if just 2.5% of these users opt for the $30 Copilot 365 upgrade, the company could generate an additional $3.4 billion in annual revenue.

Microsoft is also advancing features on Bing with personalized answers. According to the company, its AI models will be able to cross chat history to deliver new results for users — for example, telling you when your favorite soccer team plays in your area and when you are available to attend. Bing will also ask its users more questions when shopping online, then use that information to provide more tailored results.

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Binance tightens South African compliance rules for crypto transfers

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Binance is tightening compliance measures for crypto transactions in South Africa, announcing it will fully implement the country’s Travel Rule requirements beginning January 2025. The move aligns with regulations set by South Africa’s Financial Intelligence Centre (FIC) and reflects the exchange’s broader efforts to meet global anti-money laundering standards.

Under the new rules, Binance will require South African users to include verified personal information—such as names, addresses, and account details—when sending or receiving crypto between platforms. These changes are designed to increase transparency and traceability of digital asset transfers, making it harder for illicit actors to exploit decentralized networks.

Binance emphasized that users must complete know-your-customer (KYC) verification before transferring crypto to or from external wallets. Transfers to non-compliant platforms may be restricted or flagged, while internal transfers within Binance or to Travel Rule-compliant entities will remain unaffected.

The announcement follows South Africa’s decision in 2023 to designate crypto as a financial product, placing digital asset providers under the supervision of the FIC. The country has since taken steps to integrate crypto into its formal regulatory structure, including licensing requirements and mandatory reporting obligations.

With enforcement beginning in 2025, Binance urged users to familiarize themselves with the new procedures to avoid disruptions. The exchange also plans to provide additional guidance and tools to help users remain compliant as the deadline approaches.

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Ethereum bounces back as market dominance recovers from all-time low

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Ethereum has staged a notable recovery after recently experiencing its lowest market dominance since its early days. The turnaround comes as ETH surged nearly 4% in the past 24 hours, climbing back above the $3,100 mark and narrowing its underperformance gap relative to Bitcoin.

For much of 2024, Ethereum has trailed behind Bitcoin and a growing wave of altcoins, with its market share dropping below 15% — levels not seen since 2015. The slump was driven by investor focus on Bitcoin ETF momentum, lackluster institutional interest in ETH, and rising competition from layer-1 and layer-2 networks offering faster and cheaper alternatives.

Despite these challenges, Ethereum’s fundamentals remain strong. Data shows a healthy uptick in active addresses, transaction volumes, and total value locked in DeFi protocols built on Ethereum. Additionally, hopes remain high for the approval of a spot Ethereum ETF in the U.S., with analysts suggesting a potential turnaround in institutional flows if approved.

Traders are now watching whether this rebound signals a sustained trend reversal or just a temporary relief rally. With key upgrades and ecosystem developments still in the pipeline, Ethereum’s ability to regain dominance may hinge on reigniting both investor confidence and broader developer activity.

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SEC says it won’t re-file fraud case against Hex’s Richard Heart

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The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has confirmed it will not pursue a retrial in its fraud case against HEX founder Richard Heart, effectively bringing an end to one of the agency’s high-profile crypto enforcement actions.

The decision follows a recent court ruling that dismissed several key allegations against Heart, including claims that he misled investors and violated securities laws through the promotion and sale of HEX, PulseChain, and PulseX tokens. While the SEC initially signaled it would consider further legal options, it has now opted to forgo additional litigation.

Heart, a controversial figure in the crypto world, had long denied the SEC’s accusations, framing the lawsuit as an overreach by regulators. The agency had alleged that Heart raised over $1 billion from investors while misrepresenting how funds would be used and failing to register the offerings.

With the SEC stepping back, the dismissal marks a rare instance in which the regulator has chosen not to continue a crypto-related fraud case, potentially signaling a reassessment of its approach amid growing legal pushback and mounting scrutiny over its enforcement tactics.

Although the case is now closed, legal analysts suggest the outcome could influence future regulatory efforts and may embolden other crypto founders facing similar challenges. Heart, meanwhile, has positioned the development as a vindication, reaffirming his stance that HEX and related projects were never in violation of U.S. securities laws.

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