The popular AI framework Virtuals Protocol will host an in-person meet-up in Hong Kong on Friday, January 17.

As of July 9, data compiled from mainstream centralized exchange (CEX) current-account wealth management and earning products shows that stablecoin current yields vary across platforms including HTX, Binance, OKX, and Bitget, with most products adopting a tiered interest model of "high returns for small amounts, reduced rates for excess amounts". For USDT products: HTX offers the highest annual percentage yield (APY) at 10% for the 0–200 USDT tier; Bitget’s 0–300 USDT tier yields 6.31%, Binance’s 0–200 USDT tier is 4.47%, and OKX’s is 1.57%. Once exceeding the respective thresholds, HTX, Binance, and Bitget’s APYs drop to 1.95%, 1.47%, and 1.65% respectively. For USDC products: Binance’s 0–200 USDC tier has an APY of 6.76%, Bitget’s 0–300 USDC tier is 6.66%, HTX’s is 3.00%, and OKX’s is 1.74%. Additionally, HTX’s USDE current products offer an APY of 5% for the 0–1000 tier and 3% for amounts over 1000; Binance’s is 3.75%, Bitget’s is 3.64%. The USDD current product is currently only offered by HTX, with a listed APY of 4.00%. Overall, high returns on CEX stablecoin current products are mostly concentrated in small tiers, with yields for large amounts dropping significantly. When comparing products, users should not only consider nominal APYs but also pay attention to tier limits, supported currencies, platform rules, and product availability. Note: This data is compiled from official public pages of each CEX, for informational purposes only. This does not constitute any investment advice.

OpenAI Codex core member Tibo posted on X that the company previously let users enable high-compute mode too easily without fully explaining its impact on usage quotas. A large-scale revamp of the desktop app made common features like chat and projects hard to locate; overpromotional focus on ChatGPT Work led some Codex users to mistakenly believe the tool would be phased out. Additionally, the new version caused issues with some multi-agent workflows, plugin functions, and other user experiences. In response, OpenAI has rolled out its first batch of fixes: adjusting default settings and the model selector to prevent misuse of high-cost configurations, resolving multiple plugin submission issues, optimizing Codex’s presentation within the product, and fixing some desktop experience bugs. Over the past 24 hours, OpenAI has also been collecting user feedback, analyzing usage data, and communicating with users. While the market has shown strong interest in GPT 5.6 Sol, as well as ChatGPT Work’s web and mobile versions, OpenAI acknowledged multiple flaws in the recent update. To date, two top-ups for Codex and ChatGPT Work usage quotas have been completed. A larger-scale update is set to launch next week, during which chat and project features will return to the sidebar in a more familiar, customizable format. The platform will also enhance visibility of usage quotas and reset times, and further clarify the respective use cases of ChatGPT Work and Codex.

Citrini analyst Jukan posted on X that Apple secured a semiconductor tariff exemption after committing to use Intel’s fabs. The company will not only produce Mac chips at Intel but also manufacture iPhone chips there.

According to CryptoQuant analyst JA Maartun, Binance’s June futures trading volume rose to approximately $1.63 trillion, marking its highest level since 2026. The analyst noted that despite BTC fluctuating in the mid-$60,000 range, cautious market sentiment, advancing Europe’s MiCA regulation, and the typical summer slowdown in trading activity, Binance’s futures market volume remains elevated, indicating traders’ continued active participation in derivatives.

Deutsche Bank noted that after several weeks of relatively sparse remarks from Federal Reserve officials, a flurry of speeches ahead of the pre-meeting blackout period is coming next week. The most notable events include: Fed Governor Christopher Waller kicking off the week with a speech at the New York Association for Business Economics on Monday; Fed Chair Jerome Powell testifying on Tuesday and Wednesday; and several officials delivering outlooks after the release of June CPI data – Cook on Wednesday, Vice Chair Philip Jefferson, Lorie Logan of the Dallas Fed, and Schmid of the Kansas City Fed on Friday. Powell is expected to reiterate his recent stance of remaining non-committal on future policy moves. Waller, meanwhile, is typically more willing to elaborate on his policy reaction framework and outlook, so his speech will be closely watched for any signals about his policy leaning. For the outlook speeches, the market is focused on how officials interpret this week’s inflation data and whether any are leaning toward a rate hike in July. As shown in the June meeting minutes, “several” officials saw justification for a rate hike last month. Since then, the landscape has been mixed: oil prices and inflation expectations dipped before partially rebounding, while the unemployment rate fell further, raising the possibility of a dissenting vote in favor of a rate hike at the July meeting.

Hyperliquid today launched contract trading for CASHCAT, the meme token that has gone viral this week on Robinhood Chain. Notably, prior to this, Hyperliquid had not listed any new crypto tokens for nearly three months (excluding TON’s rebranding to GRAM). Its most recent contract listing dates back to CHIP on April 22. So far this year, amid the deep bear market, Hyperliquid has significantly slowed its pace of launching native crypto token contracts.