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

According to Lookonchain’s monitoring, crypto KOL Ansem has airdropped 67.38 million ANSEM tokens to over 700 addresses, valued at $9.43 million. Of the total, 49.89 million ANSEM (worth $6.98 million) went to seven addresses. These seven addresses have sold 38.29 million ANSEM, generating $1.29 million in proceeds, and currently hold 11.6 million ANSEM, valued at $1.62 million.

According to Bitget data, South Korea’s KOSPI index has extended its decline to 2%, with Samsung Electronics down 0.4% and SK Hynix down 3%.

Serenity stated in a post that it favors robotics firms Unitree and Agility Robotics, adding that its largest position in the humanoid robot space is currently concentrated in Agility Robotics, as it personally prefers U.S.-based humanoid robot companies. Regarding exposure to upstream components, Serenity said it currently holds Harmonic Drive (6324), noting that harmonic reducers and related parts account for a large share of the bill of materials. It also holds Vishay Precision, citing its sensor business and potential to become a candidate supplier for Tesla Optimus. It also expresses optimism about LeaderDrive (688017) and Schaeffler, though it does not hold positions in these firms. In other AI data center-related companies, it also gains indirect exposure to robotics through areas like storage. Serenity emphasized that it does not advise anyone to replicate its positions, noting it is only sharing its personal holdings and views. Serenity said the humanoid robot industry is large, citing a Goldman Sachs report that states, "South Korean companies will directly and indirectly account for 30% of global humanoid robot output." It noted that there are numerous players globally, and related companies continue to appear in Goldman Sachs' institutional reports and coverage. Currently, Agility Robotics is its most favored company.

Independent semiconductor and AI research institute SemiAnalysis noted in a report that one of the most underrated ways to contribute to AI semiconductor development may not be the chips themselves, but materials. As the industry accelerates production of more advanced semiconductors, demand growth is not limited to GPUs and foundry equipment, but also extends to the critical materials underpinning modern chip manufacturing. Taking tungsten as an example, the report points out that tungsten is one of the most critical materials in semiconductor manufacturing, valued for its high-temperature stability and resistance to electrical wear. Foundries rely on chemical vapor deposition (CVD) to fill deep, high-aspect-ratio vertical vias connecting multi-layer chip architectures, and use physical vapor deposition (PVD) to deposit ultra-thin structural barrier layers around them. Because tungsten is used in both core deposition processes, it is irreplaceable in advanced chip production. Tungsten supplies appear to be increasingly constrained. High-purity tungsten metal powder is the primary raw material for manufacturing tungsten hexafluoride (WF6), a gas used in CVD. Japan hosts key tungsten hexafluoride suppliers including SK Materials and Shin-Etsu Chemical, but is facing sharp price hikes and a significant drop in tungsten raw material imports, making it nearly impossible to continue producing this critical material. This price pressure is also reflected in South Korea’s tungsten hexafluoride import prices, which have surged by 151% year-to-date. As semiconductor complexity and AI demand rise, bottlenecks may emerge not only in chips or equipment, but also in the critical materials at the base of the entire supply chain.

Options analyst Bob Lang stated that amid improving market conditions, soaring investor enthusiasm for AI assets, and SpaceX’s successful IPO lifting market sentiment, OpenAI could kick off its initial public offering (IPO) as early as this year, rather than waiting until 2027. He added that the current capital market remains highly receptive to high-quality AI companies, presenting a favorable listing window. (Jinshi)

According to data from the U.S. Department of Energy, crude oil inventories in the U.S. Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR) dropped by 5.5 million barrels to 325.7 million barrels, hitting their lowest level since May 1983. The inventory drawdown is part of an agreement under which the U.S. will release 172 million barrels from reserves to fill gaps in global inventories following the Iran conflict and help lower fuel prices. U.S. crude inventories have declined rapidly in recent weeks due to strong crude exports and refinery demand. Since the outbreak of the conflict at the end of February, as of June 19, total U.S. inventories—including commercial stocks and the SPR—have fallen by 111.4 million barrels to 743.3 million barrels, marking their lowest level since 1984. (Jinshi)