BHIM has teamed up with Fintech Yatra to boost financial inclusion across India

BHIM, which is backed by NPCI BHIM Services Limited (NBSL), has teamed up with FinTech Yatra 2025 as a Principal Partner to boost digital payment adoption and promote financial inclusion all over India. This ambitious 10,000-kilometer road initiative is designed to connect financial innovators with various stakeholders, with the aim of enhancing digital literacy. As part of the plan, BHIM intends to train more than 200 representatives from NGOs through a “train-the-trainer” approach, helping them to educate their communities. This partnership is in line with NBSL’s mission to close the digital divide and empower individuals with secure digital payment solutions, ultimately nurturing a more inclusive digital economy.

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Nithin Kamath Highlights Zerodha’s 1.6 Crore Users Achieved ‘Without Advertising,’ 30% via Referrals

Investing platform Zerodha has achieved a remarkable milestone of over 1.6 crore users managing assets worth ₹6 lakh crore, co-founder Nithin Kamath shared in a LinkedIn post. The platform’s success is attributed to its customer-centric philosophy, with nearly 30% of its user base joining through referrals.The platform’s growth stands out for its ad-free approach, focusing on customer value rather than flashy marketing. Kamath likened advertising to an addiction. While dominant among English-speaking users, Zerodha aims to expand in Hindi-speaking markets like Uttar Pradesh and Bihar by launching Hindi content channels to boost regional outreach.

Read more on FinancialExpress.

Bluesky and X introduce new video feeds as TikTok faces challenges

Bluesky launched customizable video feeds for targeted content, while X introduced a “Video Tab” offering personalized video recommendations. These updates, arriving amid TikTok’s US ban, position both platforms as potential alternatives for vertical video consumption. Bluesky also highlighted early-stage decentralized TikTok-like apps being developed on its AT Protocol framework.

Read more on The Verge.

TikTok is bringing its service back online in the US

TikTok resumed operations after briefly going dark due to a federal ban. President Trump issued an executive order delaying the ban, ensuring no penalties for service providers. TikTok is now working on a long-term solution to stay in the US, while concerns over liability for supporting the app persist among lawmakers.

Read more on TechCrunch.

Why Did Hindenburg, the Short-Seller Behind Adani’s $150 Billion Market Crash, Shut Down?

Hindenburg Research, known for its critical reports on Gautam Adani, is shutting down after achieving its goals. The firm’s 2023 report triggered a $150 billion selloff in Adani Group’s shares, though most losses were later recovered. Founder Nathan Anderson cited a planned conclusion after completing investigations as the reason for closure.

Founded with no traditional finance background, Hindenburg faced early lawsuits and financial struggles. Its 11-member team led investigations resulting in charges against nearly 100 individuals. Anderson highlighted their impact, saying, “We shook empires that needed shaking,” while acknowledging the toll the work took on personal lives.

Read more on Economic Times.

Microsoft Pauses Hiring in U.S. Consulting Division Amid Cost-Cutting Efforts

Microsoft is taking steps to tighten its budget by temporarily halting hiring in its U.S. consulting division, as shared in an internal memo. The decision, first reported by CNBC, is part of the company’s broader strategy to manage expenses while prioritizing significant investments in artificial intelligence (AI).

Derek Danois, a leader in Microsoft’s consulting arm, explained that the hiring freeze includes backfilling existing roles. The team has also been asked to cut back on travel for internal meetings, opting for remote sessions, and to reduce marketing and non-essential spending by 35%.

These adjustments come as Microsoft continues to pour resources into building data centers to support its ambitious AI projects, with plans to invest $80 billion in fiscal 2025. While these changes aim to keep costs in check, Microsoft remains focused on driving innovation and supporting its global teams.

The company hasn’t yet commented on the reports, but these measures align with its efforts to balance operational efficiency and future-focused investments.

Read more on Thehindu.

Meta Voices Concerns Over Antitrust Ruling in India

Meta has raised concerns about a recent decision by India’s Competition Commission (CCI), which found the company had misused its dominant position by bundling certain features on its platforms. According to Meta, this ruling could lead to some features being scaled back, which might affect both users and businesses that depend on its services.

While Meta is committed to complying with regulations, the company has highlighted the potential challenges this decision poses for its operations in India. It hopes to work closely with authorities to find a balanced approach that allows it to continue offering valuable tools and experiences to its millions of users in the country.

This situation reflects the increasing regulatory pressure on big tech companies and Meta’s efforts to navigate these challenges while staying connected with its users in one of its largest markets.

Read more on reuters.

Zypp Electric has successfully raised Rs 55.4 crore in its current Series C funding round

Zypp Electric, a Gurugram-based EV-as-a-service platform, is raising ₹55.4 crore ($6.5 million) from 16 investors in its Series C round, valuing the company at $335-350 million. Earlier in May 2024, it raised $15 million led by ENEOS. Founded in 2017, its partners include Zomato, Swiggy, Flipkart, and more.

Read more on YourStory

Blaize is set to be the first AI chip startup to go public in 2025

Blaize, an AI chip startup started by ex-Intel engineers, is gearing up to go public on Nasdaq through a SPAC deal this Tuesday, as reported by TechCrunch.

Founded in 2011 and based in El Dorado Hills, California, Blaize focuses on AI chips designed for edge applications like drones, robots, and smart cameras. The company has garnered support from investors including Samsung and Mercedes-Benz, raising a total of $335 million.

Even though it reported a loss of $87.5 million in 2023 on just $3.8 million in revenue, Blaize is highlighting $400 million in deals, which includes a significant $104 million defense contract in EMEA aimed at developing systems that can detect drones and identify troops. CEO Dinakar Munagala believes that edge computing is the way forward because it offers advantages in cost, latency, and privacy. While Nvidia is concentrating on data centers, Blaize is putting its energy into practical AI solutions that address real-world needs that often get overlooked.

Read more on TechCrunch

Flying cars and groundbreaking apps empowering people with disabilities: Tech innovations take the spotlight at CES 2025.

At CES 2025, groundbreaking technologies took the spotlight, with innovations aimed at empowering people with disabilities and futuristic concepts like flying cars generating excitement. Key highlights included an app designed to enhance accessibility and independence for individuals with disabilities, leveraging AI and voice commands. Meanwhile, flying car prototypes showcased the future of urban mobility, drawing significant attention for their potential to revolutionize transportation. Other advancements included wearable health tech, next-gen robotics, and immersive virtual reality experiences, underscoring how technology continues to shape the future. The event highlighted global strides toward inclusivity, sustainability, and smarter living through technological innovation.

Read more on thehindu.