Powerbuilding Digital Newsletter #109

Fitness / Motivation / Technology & A.I / Crypto

Welcome to Edition 109 of the Powerbuilding Digital Newsletter—your weekly roadmap for growth, resilience, and staying ahead of the curve. Whether you’ve been following along or are joining us for the first time, this space is built to help you train smarter, think clearer, and stay connected to the future.

Here’s what’s inside this week:

Fitness Info & Ideas
Training principles and fresh approaches that help you build lasting strength, improve performance, and keep your body primed for progress.
Motivation & Wellbeing
Tools for mental clarity, resilience, and self-discipline—because true power starts with how you direct your energy each day.
Technology & AI Trends
The latest shifts in AI and tech, spotlighting innovations that are transforming the way we work, create, and live.
Crypto & Digital Asset Trends
Beyond price charts—we cover new platforms, apps, and real-world use cases that highlight the growing utility of blockchain and Web3.

Edition 109 is about alignment—staying consistent in your efforts while adapting to change with purpose. Let’s dive in and keep building stronger, smarter, and more future-ready together.

Fitness

The Science of Deload Weeks: When to Back Off to Keep Growing

In strength training, progress doesn’t come from endless intensity—it comes from the right balance of stress and recovery. That’s where deload weeks enter the picture.

A deload week is a structured reduction in training volume or intensity designed to let your body recover, reset, and come back stronger. It’s not laziness—it’s science-backed strategy.

What Is a Deload Week?

A deload is a planned, temporary reduction in training stress. Think of it as active recovery for your muscles, joints, and nervous system. Instead of pushing harder until you burn out, you back off strategically to allow adaptation to solidify.

Why Recovery Is the Secret to Long-Term Growth

Muscle and strength gains don’t happen in the gym—they happen during recovery. Every heavy set creates microscopic damage, fatigue, and stress on the central nervous system. Without recovery, progress stalls.

Deloads ensure you don’t just train harder—you train smarter and longer.

The Science of Stress, Fatigue, and Supercompensation

Stress: Training creates stress on muscles and nervous system
Fatigue: Accumulates from repeated heavy lifting, poor sleep, and lifestyle stress
Supercompensation: With rest, the body not only recovers but rebounds above baseline, getting stronger

Deload weeks are the key to reaching the supercompensation phase before fatigue outpaces recovery.

Signs You Need a Deload Week

Persistent fatigue or soreness
Plateaued lifts or declining performance
Trouble sleeping or decreased motivation
Joint pain or nagging aches
Feeling mentally “burnt out” from training

Different Types of Deloads

1. Intensity Deload

Reduce the weight/load while keeping reps and sets similar. Example: Use 60–70% of normal working weight.

2. Volume Deload

Keep weights the same, but reduce sets and reps by 30–50%.

3. Technique Deload

Focus on lighter weights with perfect form, pausing, and controlled tempo.

4. Active Recovery Deload

Replace heavy lifting with lower-intensity activities (yoga, swimming, mobility, or hiking).

How Often Should You Deload?

Most lifters benefit from a deload every 4–8 weeks, depending on intensity, recovery ability, and training goals.

Beginners: May need deloads less often (every 8–12 weeks)
Intermediate/Advanced lifters: Every 4–6 weeks due to higher training stress
Powerlifters/athletes: Often deload before competition

How to Structure a Deload Week

Reps, Sets, and Weight Adjustments

Drop weight to 60–70% of your usual load
Drop volume (sets/reps) by 30–50%
Keep rest times similar to maintain rhythm

Example Strength Training Deload Plan

Day 1 – Lower Body

Squat: 3×5 @ 60%
Romanian Deadlift: 2×8 @ 60%
Plank: 3x30s

Day 2 – Upper Body

Bench Press: 3×6 @ 65%
Barbell Row: 2×8 @ 60%
Band Pull-Aparts: 2×12

Day 3 – Full Body/Accessory

Deadlift: 2×5 @ 60%
Overhead Press: 3×6 @ 60%
Farmer’s Carry: 3×20 steps

Deloading for Different Goals

Hypertrophy (Muscle Growth)

Focus on lighter loads with slower tempo
Prioritize full range of motion

Strength

Keep heavy lifts but at 50–65% intensity
Fewer sets to reduce fatigue

Endurance/Conditioning

Cut total volume (miles, circuits) by ~40%
Replace high-intensity intervals with steady-state cardio

The Psychology of Backing Off: Why It Feels Hard

Many lifters resist deloads, fearing they’ll lose progress. In reality, a week off heavy intensity leads to faster gains afterward. It’s not weakness—it’s maturity in training.

Deload vs. Complete Rest Week: Which Do You Need?

Deload: Best for most lifters—keeps you moving while allowing recovery
Complete rest: Useful if injured, severely overtrained, or after competition

The Role of Sleep and Nutrition During Deloads

Sleep: Aim for 7–9 hours—recovery accelerates during deep sleep
Protein: Keep intake high to repair muscles
Calories: Maintain or slightly lower depending on activity

How to Rebound After a Deload Week

Resume training at previous working weights
Expect to feel fresher and stronger
Use the deload as a mental reset to attack the next block

Common Mistakes With Deload Programming

Training too hard during deload (not actually deloading)
Skipping deloads until forced by injury
Cutting calories too drastically (slows recovery)
Confusing “feeling fresh” with “not needing a deload”

The Long-Term Benefits of Strategic Deloading

Prevents injury and burnout
Extends lifting longevity
Improves strength and hypertrophy gains
Builds mental discipline and focus

Conclusion: Train Hard, Recover Harder

Growth isn’t just about grinding harder—it’s about knowing when to back off. Deload weeks are the science-backed key to sustainable progress, keeping your body and mind primed for strength, size, and longevity.

If you’re serious about long-term gains, remember: the best lifters aren’t those who train the hardest every day, but those who recover the smartest every cycle.

Sources

Zatsiorsky, V. M., & Kraemer, W. J. Science and Practice of Strength Training
National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA) – Deloading Guidelines
Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research – Fatigue and Recovery Studies
Schoenfeld, B. J. – Science and Development of Muscle Hypertrophy

Motivation

How to Reframe Pain and Struggle Into Growth

No one escapes pain or struggle—it’s part of the human condition. But while some crumble under hardship, others rise stronger, wiser, and more resilient. The difference isn’t the amount of suffering—it’s the meaning we attach to it.

Reframing pain doesn’t mean ignoring reality. It means changing the lens through which we view challenges, transforming them into catalysts for growth rather than anchors of despair.

The Role of Struggle in Human Growth

Struggle isn’t just unavoidable—it’s essential. Just as muscles only grow after being torn down and rebuilt, the human spirit strengthens through adversity.

Evolutionary psychology suggests humans are wired to adapt through challenge; resilience has always been a survival tool.

Why We Resist Pain (and Why That Keeps Us Stuck)

Our instinct is to avoid pain. But avoidance often prolongs suffering. Psychology calls this experiential avoidance—resisting unpleasant emotions instead of processing them.

Ironically, this resistance amplifies the pain. True growth begins with acceptance.

The Science of Post-Traumatic Growth

Research published in the Journal of Traumatic Stress shows that many people who endure trauma report increased appreciation for life, deeper relationships, greater resilience, and stronger personal strength—a process known as post-traumatic growth (PTG).

This doesn’t mean struggle is good—it means it can be transformed into good with the right framing.

Reframing: How Mindset Shapes Meaning

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and resilience training emphasize cognitive reframing—the practice of shifting the interpretation of an event.

Painful thought: “This failure proves I’m not good enough.”
Reframed thought: “This failure taught me exactly what to improve for next time.”

Step 1: Acknowledge the Pain Without Judgment

You can’t reframe what you won’t face. Naming your pain is the first step.

Journaling: Write what you’re feeling without censorship
Mindfulness: Observe emotions as sensations, not identity
Radical acceptance: Pain is part of life—it doesn’t define you

Step 2: Shift From “Why Me?” to “What Can I Learn?”

Victimhood drains energy. Growth reframes the same situation as a lesson.

Ask: What is this teaching me about myself? About life?
Replace “Why me?” with “Why not me? I’m capable of growth.”

Step 3: Separate Facts From the Story You Tell Yourself

Often, suffering comes not from the event, but from the narrative we attach to it.

Fact: You lost a job.
Story: “I’m worthless and will never succeed.”
Reframing means sticking to facts and rewriting the story with agency.

Step 4: Adopt the “Obstacle as Opportunity” Mindset

Stoic philosophy teaches that the obstacle is the way.

Marcus Aurelius wrote: “The impediment to action advances action. What stands in the way becomes the way.”
Struggle isn’t a detour—it’s the training ground for growth.

Step 5: Practice Resilient Reappraisal Daily

Like lifting weights, reframing requires repetition.

End each day asking: “What was difficult today? How did it grow me?”
Practice gratitude not only for blessings, but for challenges that shape resilience.

Spiritual and Philosophical Perspectives on Struggle

Buddhism: Suffering is inherent, but mindfulness transforms it.
Christianity: Trials refine faith like fire refines gold.
Stoicism: Adversity is necessary for virtue.

Across traditions, the theme is clear: pain can be transformed into wisdom.

The Role of Community and Support Systems

Growth doesn’t mean going alone. Talking through pain with trusted friends, mentors, or therapists provides perspective. Community reframes “my struggle” into “our shared human journey.”

Examples of Growth Born From Struggle

J.K. Rowling’s failures fueled the creation of Harry Potter.
Nelson Mandela reframed prison as preparation for leadership.
Countless entrepreneurs, athletes, and leaders credit setbacks as their most powerful teachers.

Journaling and Reflection Practices to Foster Growth

Prompt 1: “What lesson is hidden in my current struggle?”
Prompt 2: “How can this difficulty strengthen me long-term?”
Prompt 3: “What past pain became a turning point in my life?”

Common Pitfalls When Trying to Reframe Struggle

Toxic positivity: Pretending everything is good denies real pain
Rushing the process: Reframing takes time; honor the healing stage
Comparing struggles: Your growth path is unique

The Long-Term Benefits of Reframing Pain

Higher resilience in future challenges
Stronger sense of purpose
Increased emotional intelligence
Deep inner peace knowing hardship can be transformed

Conclusion: Struggle as the Seed of Strength

You don’t need to love pain to grow from it. You just need to reframe it. Every hardship is a chance to build resilience, wisdom, and strength.

When you stop asking “Why me?” and start asking “What now? What can I learn?”—you transform struggle from an anchor into a compass.

Sources

Tedeschi, R. G., & Calhoun, L. G. – Posttraumatic Growth: Conceptual Foundations and Empirical Evidence
Kabat-Zinn, J. – Full Catastrophe Living
Aurelius, M. – Meditations
Journal of Traumatic Stress – Research on PTG

Technology & A.I

Tesla Shuts Down Dojo: Inside the End of Elon Musk’s AI Supercomputer Dream

For years, Elon Musk hyped Dojo, Tesla’s custom-built AI supercomputer, as the cornerstone of the company’s artificial intelligence ambitions. Musk once said the project would rival Nvidia, unlock full self-driving (FSD), power humanoid robots, and even evolve into a cloud business worth billions.

Now, after six years of buildup, Tesla has officially shut down Dojo and disbanded its development team in August 2025. Within weeks of projecting that Dojo 2 would scale by 2026, Musk declared it an “evolutionary dead end.”

The move marks a stunning reversal for a project once billed as proof that Tesla was not just an automaker but an AI-first company.

What Was Dojo?

Dojo was Tesla’s in-house AI training supercomputer, built to process vast amounts of video data collected from its global fleet. The system trained Tesla’s Full Self-Driving (FSD) neural networks, aiming to mimic human vision and decision-making using a camera-only approach.

Unlike rivals like Waymo that rely on lidar and radar, Tesla bet on vision-only AI, requiring immense compute power to train its models at scale.

Dojo’s core was Tesla’s proprietary D1 chips, manufactured by TSMC, each with 50 billion transistors. A next-gen D2 chip was in the works, designed to solve communication bottlenecks by putting entire Dojo tiles on a single silicon wafer.

Musk claimed Dojo would one day rival Nvidia’s GPUs — but most AI software is written for Nvidia hardware, meaning Tesla faced massive integration hurdles.

Why Did Tesla Need Dojo?

FSD ambition: Train neural nets to identify objects, process real-world video, and make split-second driving decisions.
Robotaxi rollout: Support the limited robotaxi service Tesla launched in Austin using Model Y SUVs.
Optimus robot training: Provide compute power for humanoid robot AI.
Chip independence: Reduce reliance on Nvidia, whose GPUs are both expensive and scarce.

Musk often hinted that Dojo could evolve into an AWS-style business, renting out compute power. Morgan Stanley once projected Dojo could add $500 billion to Tesla’s valuation.

The Pivot to Cortex

By late 2024, Tesla’s focus had already begun to shift. The company promoted Cortex, a massive Nvidia GPU-based training cluster at Gigafactory Texas, instead of highlighting Dojo.

Q4 2024: Tesla deployed 50,000 H100 GPUs under Cortex.
Q2 2025: Tesla expanded Cortex with 16,000 H200 GPUs, totaling 67,000 H100 equivalents.
Dojo updates disappeared from shareholder decks and earnings calls.

Dojo’s quiet fade coincided with Tesla signing a $16.5 billion chip deal with Samsung to produce its next-gen AI6 chips, designed for both FSD and AI training.

The End of Dojo

In mid-August 2025, Tesla dissolved the Dojo team. Project lead Peter Bannon and about 20 engineers departed to launch DensityAI, an AI chip startup.

Musk posted on X:

“Once it became clear that all paths converged to AI6, I had to shut down Dojo and make some tough personnel choices, as Dojo 2 was now an evolutionary dead end.”

Tesla still plans to invest $500 million in a Buffalo supercomputer, but it will be powered by Cortex and AI6 chips — not Dojo.

Why Did Dojo Fail?

Technical limitations: D1 chips couldn’t match Nvidia’s A100s or H100s.
Software mismatch: Most AI frameworks are built for GPUs, not custom silicon.
Talent loss: Key engineers exited, weakening internal momentum.
Cost and scalability: Custom chip projects demand billions in R&D.
Redundancy: Cortex and AI6 made Dojo obsolete before it scaled.

What Dojo Meant for Tesla

Dojo symbolized Tesla’s AI identity. Even if it never lived up to the hype, it reinforced Musk’s narrative that Tesla was more than a car company.

But as Purdue professor Anand Raghunathan explained:

“More data doesn’t necessarily mean more information… There are limits to brute-force AI training.”

Tesla’s pivot underscores that partnerships with Nvidia, AMD, and Samsung may be a faster, less risky path than going it alone.

The Legacy of Dojo

Dojo may be gone, but its ambition lives on in Cortex and AI6. Tesla still holds one of the largest AI training clusters in the world and continues to pitch itself as an AI powerhouse.

For analysts, Dojo will be remembered as both:

A missed opportunity that never met its lofty targets.
A strategic experiment that laid groundwork for Tesla’s future AI infrastructure.

Musk himself summed it up best:

“Dojo 3 arguably lives on in the form of a large number of AI6 systems-on-a-chip on a single board.”

Bottom Line: Dojo’s shutdown shows the difficulty of going against Nvidia’s dominance in AI compute. For Tesla, it marks a pivot away from moonshot chip autonomy toward a more pragmatic, partnership-driven AI future.

IFA 2025 Preview: AI Everywhere, From Smart Homes to Gaming and Beyond

If there’s one theme dominating IFA 2025, it’s artificial intelligence. Every corner of the consumer tech landscape — from home appliances to laptops, gaming, and audio gear — is about to get its AI upgrade.

We’ve been hearing “AI in everything” for years, but the difference now is execution. Following CES 2025, MWC 2025, Computex, and Gamescom, the stage is set for Berlin to bring these threads together. Expect announcements that move AI from flashy gimmicks to genuinely useful features.

Three Categories to Watch Closely

1. Laptops and Handheld Gaming

Intel’s Core Ultra 200 series CPUs are already shaking things up, and rumors point to early appearances of next-gen “Panther Lake” chips.
Handhelds like MSI’s Claw 8 AI+ have shown how integrated GPUs can handle serious portable gaming. Could we see Lenovo reveal the Legion Go 2 at IFA? Don’t be surprised if handhelds become one of the biggest draws this year.

2. AR and AI Glasses

Smart glasses are no longer a novelty — they’re here to stay. After big showings at AWE 2025, expect more breakthroughs in display tech, AI-driven assistance, and everyday usability.
Watch for updates not just from startups but also from major OEMs that are betting on AR as the next computing shift.

3. Audio and Immersive Experiences

Could AI-powered earbuds finally deliver live translation, note-taking, and adaptive sound in real time? Rumors suggest the upcoming AirPods Pro 3 may include health sensors, but Samsung, LG, or other IFA exhibitors might one-up Apple with smart audio of their own.
Expect Bluetooth 6.0 devices with higher bandwidth, lower latency, and support for multi-device audio.

Samsung’s AI Home Showcase

One of the most hyped events is Samsung’s “AI Home: Future Living, Now” showcase.

Samsung’s Bespoke Jet AI Ultra vacuum already impressed with autonomous cleaning and smart phone call handling.
Will the next generation take it further — like AI-driven cleaning with variable water or air-dry features?

Samsung’s ambitions go beyond appliances. Expect AI-powered Bespoke appliances, connected home ecosystems, and possibly even new coffee innovations (yes, maybe a machine that scans beans with AI to optimize extraction).

Phones, Tablets, and Mixed Reality

Samsung Galaxy Tab S11 tablets are tipped for debut, aiming to rival iPad Pro.
A Galaxy S25 FE may also drop, alongside whispers of a triple-foldable phone or progress on the Project Moohan XR headset.
Honor is going early with its Magic V5 foldable launch, but likely will still have a presence in Berlin.

On the accessories side, expect Qi2 wireless chargers, MagSafe-style stands, and pads from Anker, Belkin, and others — especially since the Google Pixel 10 already supports Qi2 and the iPhone 17 series is rumored to follow suit at Apple’s event right after IFA.

Budget Tech Gets Smarter

IFA is also known for revealing premium features trickling down into mid-range gear:

Expect dual drivers in earbuds, bigger woofers in budget speakers, and modular soundbars where users can add subwoofers and surrounds over time.
This buildable approach could reshape home cinema setups for buyers priced out of full premium bundles.

The Big Question: Will AI Finally Deliver?

For years, AI in consumer tech has felt like marketing over substance. But at IFA 2025, the mood is shifting. With smarter laptops, immersive AR glasses, adaptive audio, and AI-infused home appliances, this may be the year AI actually proves its everyday value.

IFA 2025 kicks off in Berlin soon, and we’ll be on the ground bringing you the biggest launches, boldest experiments, and the AI features that really matter.

Microsoft Copilot Comes to Samsung’s 2025 TVs and Smart Monitors

Microsoft’s Copilot AI assistant is expanding beyond PCs and phones — it’s now officially coming to Samsung’s 2025 TV lineup and smart monitors.

Starting this year, users will be able to call on Copilot directly from their living rooms for movie suggestions, spoiler-free episode recaps, and everyday questions, turning the TV into an interactive AI hub.

How Copilot Works on Samsung TVs

Animated Presence: On screen, Copilot takes the form of a floating, friendly blob — a “Copilot Appearance” that looks like a bouncing chickpea, complete with mouth movements that sync to its responses.
Access Points: Copilot will be embedded across Samsung’s Tizen OS homescreen, Samsung Daily Plus, and Click to Search.
Controls: You can activate it by voice or by selecting the icon with your remote. From there, just press the mic button to start speaking.

Personalized Experiences

Users can sign into the app for a personalized Copilot experience, allowing the assistant to reference previous conversations and preferences across devices. That means TV recommendations and recaps can actually build on your own viewing habits.

Supported Devices

Copilot is rolling out across a wide range of Samsung 2025 devices, including:

Micro RGB TVs
Neo QLED models
OLED TVs
The Frame Pro & The Frame
Smart monitors M7, M8, and M9

Microsoft has also confirmed plans to bring Copilot to LG TVs, signaling a broader push into home entertainment platforms.

Why It Matters

The integration turns TVs into AI-driven assistants, not just content displays. By embedding Copilot into living room devices, Microsoft and Samsung are positioning TVs as smarter, more interactive hubs for media, productivity, and daily life.

The Tiny Team Era: How AI Startups Are Redefining Growth and Investor Strategy

The Silicon Valley model of hiring thousands to scale is fading. In its place, a new wave of AI-native startups—powered by small teams and large language models (LLMs)—is achieving revenue-per-employee (RPE) metrics once thought impossible. For investors, this structural shift presents a rare opportunity: move capital away from bloated, human-heavy unicorns and toward lean, AI-augmented firms built for efficiency.

The Rise of the “Tiny Team” Model

For decades, startup success followed the same script: hire aggressively, capture market share, scale fast. That playbook is being dismantled.

Midjourney (AI image generation): $300M revenue in 2024 with just 142 employees → $2.1M RPE (rivaling Apple at $2.38M).
Anysphere (AI coding): $78M in year one with a team of 20 → $3.9M RPE.

These firms prove that AI replaces armies of engineers, designers, and marketers with algorithms. LLMs automate customer support, generate code, and even handle marketing—allowing small teams to focus on innovation, not execution.

The Efficiency Gap: Big Is No Longer Beautiful

The shift extends beyond startups. Legacy giants are cutting headcounts to improve margins:

Amazon: RPE rose 12% to $414K in 2024 after trimming 14,000 managers. Profit margins jumped from 5% to 15%, adding $18B annually.
Walmart: RPE surged to $6.3M in 2024 after eliminating 100,000 jobs since 2015.

By contrast, firms with bloated workforces and weak AI adoption—like Target and HR-heavy service providers—are vulnerable. For investors, the efficiency gap highlights where capital should (and shouldn’t) flow.

Undervalued Stars of the Tiny Team Era

Beyond headline-grabbing unicorns, a cluster of AI-native startups are quietly dominating their niches:

Evozyne – AI biotech simulating protein evolution, cutting drug discovery timelines. ($81M funding)
Pixxel – Google-backed satellite imagery startup using AI for precision analysis. ($71M valuation)
Starfish Space – NASA-backed satellite automation with AI-based navigation. ($22M valuation)

Each one shows the same pattern: AI as workforce multiplier, enabling small teams to punch far above their weight.

Risks and Considerations

The AI efficiency revolution isn’t risk-free:

Over-automation could lead to brittle, “anorexic” teams lacking creativity.
Regulatory pushback may intensify as layoffs mount.
High upfront costs—like AWS’s $5B chip investment—can strain cash flow.

Still, the long-term trajectory is clear: AI-enhanced margins and efficiency. Even P&G’s RPE rose 15% after AI-driven supply chain optimizations.

Investor Strategy: Where to Allocate Capital

Overweight AI leaders – AWS (AMZN), Microsoft (MSFT), and LLM providers like Cohere.
Target AI-native startups – Look for firms with $1M+ RPE and low debt. Midjourney, Anysphere, and xAI (Elon Musk’s venture) fit the profile.
Avoid human-heavy laggards – Retail, HR, and low-margin SaaS firms with $200K–$300K RPE.
Leverage ETFs – Options like Global X Robotics & Automation ETF (BOTZ) or iShares Robotics & Autonomous Tech ETF (IRBO) provide diversified exposure.

The Tiny Team Era Is Here to Stay

The data is decisive: small teams + AI = big profits. Startups and enterprises alike are proving that scale no longer requires massive payrolls. Instead, efficiency and automation are the new growth engines.

For investors, the message is clear: pivot capital early to the lean innovators, and you’ll be positioned to capture the upside of a structural transformation. The Tiny Team Era has just begun—and those who recognize it now will reap the rewards.

Crypto

Coinbase to Launch Mag7 + Crypto Equity Index Futures, Blending Tech Giants with Digital Assets

The top U.S.-based crypto exchange, Coinbase, is bridging Wall Street and Web3 with a new product that combines the Magnificent 7 equities with leading crypto assets.

On Monday, Coinbase Derivatives announced the upcoming launch of Mag7 + Crypto Equity Index Futures, a first-of-its-kind exchange-traded product designed to give investors diversified, capital-efficient exposure across both traditional equities and digital assets.

Inside the Mag7 + Crypto Index

The Mag7 + Crypto Equity Index is made up of 10 equally weighted components:

The Magnificent 7 tech stocks: Apple (AAPL), Microsoft (MSFT), Alphabet (GOOGL), Amazon (AMZN), NVIDIA (NVDA), Meta (META), Tesla (TSLA)
Coinbase Global (COIN)
iShares Bitcoin Trust (IBIT)
iShares Ethereum Trust (ETHA)

Each asset carries a 10% weight. While prices will fluctuate between rebalances, the index will reset quarterly to maintain equal distribution.

MarketVector, a global index provider, has been tapped to manage and maintain the benchmark.

How the Futures Work

Contract Structure: Monthly, cash-settled futures
Notional Value: Each contract equals $1 × index value
- Example: If the index trades at $3,000, one futures contract equals $3,000

The product is designed to simplify cross-asset exposure, letting investors hedge, speculate, or diversify without needing to separately allocate into tech equities and crypto products.

Why It Matters

Coinbase says the new futures address rising demand for blended strategies that track multiple high-growth asset classes.

Capital Efficiency: Investors can get exposure to both crypto and equities through a single contract
Diversification: Combines volatile but high-upside digital assets with established mega-cap tech leaders
Institutional Appeal: The index offers a structured, rules-based approach in line with professional trading desks

The launch continues Coinbase’s expansion beyond spot crypto trading, following its push into futures, custody, and prime brokerage.

What’s Next

Coinbase will release further details about trading access and platform availability in the weeks ahead. Expansion to retail users is expected after the initial rollout.

With institutional interest in digital assets at record highs and crossover products gaining traction, the Mag7 + Crypto Equity Index Futures could mark a new milestone in hybrid TradFi–DeFi investment tools.

SEC Chair Paul Atkins Outlines New Crypto-Friendly Regulatory Agenda

The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) is signaling a major shift in its stance toward digital assets. In its Spring 2025 regulatory agenda, released Thursday, SEC Chair Paul Atkins unveiled roughly 20 proposed rule changes—many of which aim to soften enforcement and provide clearer guardrails for crypto projects.

A New Era of Regulation for Digital Assets

Atkins emphasized that the agenda reflects a move away from the rigid, enforcement-heavy approach of the previous administration.

“The agenda covers potential rule proposals related to the offer and sale of crypto assets to help clarify the regulatory framework and provide greater certainty to the market,” Atkins said.

The proposals include:

Safe harbors for crypto projects, giving teams breathing room to innovate without fear of immediate enforcement.
Restructured rules designed to reduce regulatory uncertainty and encourage compliance.
“Modernization” of existing frameworks, including updates to the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, which governs custody of assets, to better account for digital assets.

This comes less than eight months after stricter custody guidelines for crypto were abandoned under mounting industry pressure.

From Enforcement to Engagement

The shift highlights how dramatically the SEC’s crypto strategy has changed since Gary Gensler’s resignation in January 2025.

Gensler’s legacy: multiple lawsuits, years-long investigations, and a reputation for “regulation by enforcement.”
Atkins’ approach: withdrawing many of those actions, prioritizing smart regulation, and actively exploring frameworks that fit digital assets within the SEC’s statutory authority.

For the industry, this marks a potential inflection point: fewer legal battles, more constructive pathways to compliance, and a clear attempt to bring crypto into the U.S. financial system under redefined rules.

Next Steps in the Rulemaking Process

While promising, these are proposed rules, not final law. Each item must undergo:

Public comment period – industry leaders, investors, and citizens can provide feedback.
SEC review – commissioners will consider revisions based on comments.
Formal adoption – only then do proposals become binding regulations.

Given the scope of changes, the process could take months to years, but the agenda sets a strong tone: the SEC is pivoting toward clarity over conflict.

Why It Matters for Crypto

Regulatory Certainty: Projects may finally have a clearer framework to operate in the U.S. without fear of retroactive enforcement.
Institutional Adoption: Friendlier custody and compliance rules could accelerate institutional participation.
Market Confidence: The SEC’s new tone may reduce the legal overhang that has weighed on U.S. crypto markets for years.

Key Takeaway: Under Paul Atkins, the SEC is steering away from combative enforcement and toward crypto-friendly rulemaking. If these proposals advance, they could reshape how digital assets are regulated—and open the door for broader adoption in the U.S.

Stripe and Paradigm Launch Tempo Blockchain to Power Stablecoin Payments

Stripe and Paradigm have officially unveiled Tempo, a new layer-1 blockchain designed to handle stablecoin payments at scale.

The announcement, made Sept. 4 by Paradigm founder Matt Huang, follows weeks of speculation triggered by Stripe’s quickly deleted blockchain engineering job postings in August.

Tempo Enters Private Testnet Phase

Tempo is currently live in a private testnet, with select partners piloting use cases such as:

Cross-border payouts
B2B settlements
Remittances
Embedded financial accounts

According to Huang, the network is Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM) compatible but optimized specifically for payments. Key features include:

Predictable low fees tailored to high-volume payment flows
Sub-second finality and throughput exceeding 100,000 TPS via a dedicated payments lane
Stablecoin-based transaction fees, eliminating the need for a native token
Built-in automated market maker (AMM) for seamless stablecoin conversions
Opt-in privacy transactions and compliance hooks for AML/KYC requirements

This payment-focused architecture separates routine stablecoin transfers from complex smart contract activity, ensuring efficiency at scale.

Major Partners Already Onboard

Tempo’s design partners span finance, e-commerce, and AI, including:

Financial institutions: Deutsche Bank, Standard Chartered, Lead Bank
Neobanks & fintechs: Nubank, Mercury, Revolut
E-commerce & logistics: Shopify, Coupang, DoorDash
AI leaders: OpenAI, Anthropic
Payments networks: Visa

The partnerships suggest strong enterprise demand for stablecoin rails in mainstream financial and consumer applications.

Stablecoin Neutrality as a Core Principle

Unlike networks that prioritize specific issuers or require native tokens for gas fees, Tempo embraces stablecoin neutrality:

Any issuer can bring a stablecoin on-chain
Users can pay for gas in any stablecoin
The integrated AMM provides instant swaps between stablecoins

This design aligns with Stripe’s payments-first philosophy and positions Tempo as an open infrastructure layer rather than a competitor to general-purpose blockchains like Ethereum or Solana.

Why It Matters

The launch comes amid rising momentum for stablecoin-native networks. Just weeks earlier, Circle introduced Arc, a multi-chain infrastructure for stablecoin settlement.

Tempo aims to differentiate itself by:

Delivering enterprise-grade compliance with privacy + KYC options
Offering low-latency, high-throughput settlement for consumer and business payments
Integrating directly into platforms already processing billions in daily transactions

If successful, Tempo could become a key backbone for global payouts, microtransactions, and tokenized settlement, bringing stablecoins further into mainstream commerce.

Coinbase CEO: Nearly Half of Exchange’s Code Now Written by AI

Coinbase is leaning heavily into artificial intelligence, with CEO Brian Armstrong revealing that close to half of the company’s daily code output now comes from AI tools.

In a Sept. 3 post on X, Armstrong said that roughly 40% of code written at Coinbase is machine-generated, and he expects that number to climb past 50% by October 2025.

Still, he emphasized that human oversight remains critical:

“Obviously it needs to be reviewed and understood, and not all areas of the business can use AI-generated code. But we should be using it responsibly as much as we possibly can,” Armstrong noted.

This level of AI adoption puts Coinbase ahead of even the biggest names in tech. By comparison, Microsoft and Google currently generate about 30% of their code with AI.

A Mandate to Go All-In on AI

Armstrong’s comments follow earlier remarks on the Cheeky Pint Podcast, where he explained that Coinbase engineers were directed to adopt AI development tools within a week. Employees who resisted were reportedly dismissed, underscoring how central AI has become to the exchange’s engineering strategy.

Security Experts Sound the Alarm

The announcement quickly sparked debate across the crypto and tech sectors. Critics argued that delegating mission-critical code to AI could introduce serious vulnerabilities.

Larry Lyu, founder of Dango decentralized exchange, called the strategy “a giant red flag for any security-sensitive business.”
Adam Cochran, partner at Cinneamhain Ventures, echoed concerns: “I’m not sure ‘40% of our code is written by AI’ is what I want to hear from a place that stores financial assets.”

Skeptics point to the risks of AI code generation, including bugs, missed context, and unpredictable errors. For a platform like Coinbase — which custodies more than $420 billion in digital assets — even small mistakes could have costly consequences.

Defenders See a Different Future

Not everyone agrees with the criticism. Richard Wu, co-founder of Tensor, argued that AI coding has matured enough to deliver value at scale.

Wu suggested that 90% of high-quality code could be AI-generated within the next five years, provided companies enforce safeguards such as strict code reviews, automated testing, and linting. He also compared flawed AI outputs to mistakes from junior engineers — errors that robust systems are already designed to catch.

The Bigger Picture

Coinbase’s AI-first development strategy highlights a growing divide in the tech industry. On one hand, AI promises massive efficiency gains by automating routine coding. On the other, skeptics warn that relying too heavily on machine-written code for financial infrastructure could magnify risks.

For Armstrong, however, the direction is clear: AI isn’t just an experiment — it’s a core part of Coinbase’s future.