Vladimir Okhotnikov

  OpenAI and DeepSeek have entered a dispute phase. The essence of the problem: a Chinese startup used a “distillation” technique that allows a small model to learn from the responses of a large one. This, according to OpenAI, is a direct violation of the terms of use, which prohibits copying services and creating competitors based on its data. Now let's look at this situation in more detail. OpenAI itself is not such a harmless lamb. The company is currently suing The New York Times and book authors for using them to train AI without the permission of the authors of these very books. It turned out to be ironic... A corporation that accuses others of “theft” has itself found itself in an awkward position. However, I always look at the situation from different sides. Look. For example, if language models are locked in the hands of a few giants, they will most likely cease to benefit society. Open source code would allow “popular” developers to experiment, find new solutions and move...

  “Who needs social networks?" This was the question many business leaders and companies asked when the trend first began to emerge. "How can this be serious? Who will listen to anonymous people with avatars?"  Fast forward, and social media has become an essential promotional tool. It’s hard to imagine an advertising campaign today without it. The most agile companies recognized this shift early and gained a competitive advantage. Today, being present on social media is a must. Influential figures and almost all politicians use social media to connect with their audiences. It’s the foundation of modern marketing—and much more. Here are some stats for you to consider: In 2005, only 5% of Americans used social media. Compare it with what we have now. Over 4.95 billion people worldwide are active on social platforms. Now, we’re witnessing a similar shift with the Metaverse. Similar questions arise again and again. "Why pay for a virtual office? Who’s even there? Are a...

  How the President Is Making Everyone Play Big Donald Trump, with his bold approach to managing the economy, has once again become the subject of discussion, and this time the focus is on his policy towards cryptocurrency. Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong recently commented on this issue after the World Economic Forum in Davos. His words resonate with many market leaders: “ The president is making everyone play big .” This phrase accurately sums up the current mood in the industry. Armstrong noted that the Trump administration’s plans to make the US the world capital of artificial intelligence and cryptocurrency are not only generating interest, but also a clear acceleration of investment in the industry. And this is logical: large corporations, banks, and payment companies no longer want to be left out. Today, we are talking about not just technology, but a complete overhaul of the financial system. This movement echoes the experiences of other leaders: Nayib Bukele, who turned El Sa...

  A Unique Half Marathon to Be Held in Beijing How do you like the idea of ​​a half marathon where humans and robots run on the same track? It sounds like a scene from a futuristic movie, but it’s reality. The world’s first championship of this format will be held in Beijing in April. The scale is impressive: 12,000 human participants and dozens of humanoids from 20 leading companies. The conditions are strict — no wheelbase, only a mechanical structure as close to the human body as possible. Robots can be both autonomous and controlled, and batteries can be changed right during the race. This marathon is more than just a race. It is a showcase of progress in robotics and artificial intelligence, a step towards showing the world how far we have come. A robot from Galbot already appeared at the finish line of the Beijing Marathon last year, but in 2025, robots will run the entire distance for the first time. This competition is a symbol of our time. Robots that run, patrol the stree...

  Would you leave your front door wide open for criminals? In today’s digital age, some people are unknowingly doing just that with their personal information. The recent reports of the kidnapping of Ledger's co-founder in exchange for a Bitcoin ransom highlight a chilling trend in the crypto world - financial transparency and criminal opportunity intersect.  I was also reminded of the recent crime in Sweden, where a couple was tied up in their home for hours. Criminals demanded their bitcoins. Just a month has passed since then, but I am sure there have been other incidents like this. The number of such crimes is growing in Scandinavian countries. As mass media reports, it’s shockingly easy to find anyone’s residential address and search for their tax records. And that’s concerning. Transparency has its merits, but crypto holders become easy targets, especially when their personal info is just a few clicks away! It’s tragic that Scandinavian countries, so committed to financi...

  Beyond the Hype: Surge of Solana and How Mass Adoption Is Shaping Crypto Those who think that crypto is a niche for tech-savvy enthusiasts, are mistaken. Should it stay this way, mass adoption would remain a distant dream. It needs to become even more accessible to everyone for crypto to thrive. Fortunately, the landscape is evolving. Analysing recent developments, I see that the mainstream is taking notice. A striking example of this shift is the launch of the TRUMP and MELANIA meme tokens. It can become a case study in crypto’s march toward mass adoption. Trump wouldn’t be Trump without his knack for grabbing attention. Just when it seems there’s nothing left to surprise us, he manages to do it again. The survey conducted among 1000 Americans revealed jaw-dropping statistics. Each 7th random American respondent (14%) purchased the TRUMP meme token. Even more remarkable, 42% of the TRUMP and MELANIA buyers were first-time cryptocurrency investors. On inauguration day over 80% of...

 Chinese Banks Turn to AI for Job Interviews: Revolution or Red Flag? It happened. AI is replacing humans, performing the roles previously considered untouchable such as HR. Chinese banks and large corporations are embracing AI-powered virtual interviews. This move raises controversy– a mix of praise and skepticism.  Why do companies use AI HR? The numbers are compelling! No human HR is capable of conducting 2,500 interviews a day, while AI bot handles the task easily. It's never tired or pre-biased and evaluates only facts. The recruitment process is streamlined like never before!  How does it work? Candidates interact with the bot after completing a written exam. Then follows a final, in-person interview with a company representative. The applicants download the app and connect at a scheduled time.  How do candidates perceive it? I find it surprising that many embrace this change. As it turned out, people feel more relaxed with an AI interviewer! It lacks human jud...

  In my opinion, Elon Musk's decision is strange, he wrote that Silk Road founder Ross Ulbricht will be released Ross Ulbricht's story is twofold. On the one hand, he wanted to rethink freedom, but he became its prisoner. He created Silk Road, a platform that promised to become the ideal of a free market, where everyone could sell and buy without control. The idea sounded like a manifesto against control: a technology that returns power to people. But reality turned this experiment into a crime. After his arrest in 2013, Ulbricht became a scapegoat. He was accused of everything from drug trafficking to contract killings (although this charge was never proven). A life sentence without the possibility of release is not just a punishment, but an indicator of how the system protects its borders. He was judged not as a person, but as a symbol that needed to be broken. And now Elon Musk, the man who plays against the rules but always wins, is talking about freeing him. Why? Musk is a...

 How Blockchain Helps the Market Fight Counterfeiting When it comes to premium wines that sell for tens of thousands of euros, counterfeiting not only destroys trust in the market, but also causes serious financial damage. Today, the front line in the fight against counterfeiting is blockchain. The technology, which began as the basis for cryptocurrencies, has already changed the approach to security and transparency in a variety of areas, including winemaking. Every step of the wine’s journey, from harvest to shelf life, is recorded in the blockchain. Unique QR codes on the bottles allow consumers to check the origin and quality of the wine by scanning them with a smartphone. For example, the buyer will find out where the grapes were picked, how long the wine was aged in oak barrels, and under what conditions it was transported. All information is stored in an immutable chain of blocks. If someone tries to forge the data, the system will refuse to change it, as this will disrupt t...

 White Hats – Blockchain’s Invisible Defenders Imagine a Web3 world without protection. Millions of dollars in cryptocurrency disappear due to vulnerabilities, users lose trust, and the industry faces a reputational crisis. This is where white hats play a key role, transforming blockchain from a wild west into a safer space. Ethical hackers are not just specialists, they are the true guardians of the digital world. Their job is to find and fix vulnerabilities that can be catastrophic for projects. And this is important not only for companies, but for everyone who uses Web3 technologies. White hats prevent large-scale losses of funds. For example, the Immunefi platform helped save millions of dollars and paid out over $100 million to hackers who found vulnerabilities. This is not just protection — it is a contribution to the development of the entire industry. White hats are not just an important element of the blockchain ecosystem, they are the foundation of its future. Without the...

  What's behind the change promises in the crypto industry? The crypto industry is waiting for changes from the Trump administration, especially in the context of the SEC, which under Gensler's leadership has tightened control over the crypto business. Gensler's departure and Trump's promises to review regulatory policy give hope for easing the pressure on the market and creating more transparent and understandable rules. However, hopes for the loyalty of the new administration do not guarantee success. Too soft an approach can open the door to unscrupulous players, which will again lead to reputational and financial losses. On the other hand, the lack of real changes and the failure to make promises can provoke a market correction and increase mistrust of the authorities. The question is not only what the SEC will do, but also how balanced the new measures will be. Regulations should protect users and investors, but at the same time not stifle innovation. I see this as...

  Trump, Memecoins and the Reputation of the Crypto Industry Honestly, the news of Donald Trump and his wife Melania launching memecoins made me smile and think at the same time. At first glance, it looks like another political stunt designed to hype and attract attention. But if you dig deeper, the question arises: how do such initiatives affect the perception of the crypto industry as a whole? Memecoins themselves do not carry any real value, and their success depends entirely on emotion, hype, and popularity. They exist at the intersection of culture and finance, but when a memecoin becomes a tool for political play, it already looks, at the very least, strange. The fact that the $TRUMP trading volume in a day exceeded $11 billion only emphasizes how speculative the nature of such assets can be. Trump probably sees this as a strategy — both political and economic. Memecoins can be a way to strengthen his supporter base, involve them in some kind of "ecosystem experiment". ...

  Playing with Fire: Senator Lummis Exposes Burning Evidence and Crypto Sabotage A new government takes the reins at he White House. With it comes accountability for the actions of the previous government.  As it turns out, many events unfolding before our eyes were far from accidental. Banks systematically denied services to crypto companies based on directives received from government agencies.This operation known as Chokepoint 2.0 raises many questions. Banks refused to serve crypto companies after letters received from government institutions with recommendations to do so. Who orchestrated this sabotage, and under whose orders? If the public gains access to these documents, we could uncover astonishing truths. However, will we ever get the chance?  According to recent reports, there’s a scramble to destroy these incriminating records, which hindered the development of the crypto industry. Senator Cynthia Lummis has raised alarms about this.  She suggested that, a...

 One of the world's largest asset managers says Bitcoin is not suitable for retirement portfolios Many of those born in the last century were brought up in a culture of bank deposits, government bonds, and long-term investments in blue chips. The younger generation sees it differently. For them, Bitcoin is not a risk, but an insurance policy against the depreciation of fiat money. It is an alternative to a system that has repeatedly demonstrated its fragility. However, Vanguard says that cryptocurrency is not a suitable tool for retirement savings. A traditional retirement portfolio is built on low-risk assets: bonds, dividend stocks, real estate. The goal of such a portfolio is to protect capital from inflation, minimize losses, and ensure a stable income in retirement. In this sense, Bitcoin looks like a marginal asset — its rate can collapse by 50% in a week and grow by the same amount for no apparent reason. For a 70-year-old pensioner this is not an investment, but a lottery. ...

  95% of Day Traders Lose Their Deposits: Why?  I ran across an interesting statistic that says 95% of day traders end up trading at zero. Some even suggest this figure is optimistic, claiming the actual numbers are even worse!  Many beginners give up after their first losses. They feel hopeless and disheartened. What can I say? Market dynamics are tough, and Bitcoin is no exception. Even with the best asset in hand, emotions often cloud judgement, especially when navigating an unfamiliar playing field.  So, why do many people jump into trading? There is a certain allure of the trader lifestyle. They think they will lounge by the pool with cocktails in hand, while money effortlessly rolls in. But reality paints a harsher picture: 80% of day traders quit within two years 40% give up trading in a month  Only 13% remain active in 3 years, and this figure reduces to 7% in 5 years Besides, their losses are staggering. Trading, it seems, is far from a dream job for mo...

  60 Billionaires Can’t Be Wrong: The List of Wealthy Bitcoin Investors Circulates Online Investors are increasingly attracted by Bitcoin, including the wealthiest ones who tend to act with caution. I came across a list including at least 60 billionaires from various countries who invest in Bitcoin. These include high-profile figures like hedge fund titans and tech entrepreneurs, who have been steadily accumulating Bitcoin throughout the year. Many others are following their lead. Doesn’t this suggest that Bitcoin has already earned significant trust? The leading cryptocurrency is widely accepted as a hedge against economic and geopolitical risks. It’s also a top-performing asset, outpacing gold in returns.  Despite its volatility, Bitcoin is often considered a superior investment opportunity, which increases the purchasing power of its holders. Over the last five years, the price of gold has risen by 71%, while Bitcoin has skyrocketed by over 1,000%!  Additionally, tech-...

  Hollywood on Fire: AI Saves and Causes Chaos The fires in Southern California have consumed thousands of acres, forced 180,000 people to evacuate, and destroyed many homes, including celebrity properties. In the fight against this disaster, artificial intelligence has become a real hero, but also a source of problems. The Alert California system, developed at the University of California, has already saved lives by detecting a fire in Orange County before people noticed it. Cameras and machine learning algorithms were able to do what humans cannot: instantly identify a threat in a remote area. Such technologies provide speed and accuracy, which are critical in the fight against fire. However, on the other hand, AI has become an instrument of chaos. False images created by generative neural networks showed the iconic Hollywood sign surrounded by fire and scenes of looting. Fakes increase panic, complicating crisis management. For me, this story is a clear confirmation of the ambi...

  BlackRock's Jay Jacobs believes that regulatory support from the Trump administration will have a positive effect on BTC Wait, what about decentralization? Why can anyone influence the value of cryptocurrency? That's not what it was created for. Those who just came to crypto and heard that cryptocurrency is not managed, it is decentralized — you are not mistaken. Just look at it from the other side. Here, look. Yes, Bitcoin is technically decentralized. No one can "turn off" the network or directly manage it alone. To do this, you need to have 51% of the network's power, which is currently unrealistic to do. But that's not what we're talking about now. In the Bitcoin market, it's not the code and blockchains that decide everything, but the money and mood of investors. And here the main players are institutional investors who rely on the very regulatory framework that retail investors are allegedly running from. That is, those who buy Bitcoin for a co...

  How Technology Is Blurring the Lines Between Life and Death Technology doesn’t just erase the boundary between real life and the virtual realm. It’s also blurring the line between life and death. AI’s capability to “resurrect” the dead has been actively used in the movie industry. However, human entrepreneurial spirit knows no bounds! One of the emerging offerings in the market is the ability to converse with a deceased person. People mourning the loss of loved ones, eagerly turn to these tools when grieving. Being in the state of emotional vulnerability, they often overlook the unusual nature of such interactions.  These ‘digital’ resurrections are made possible through AI tools that gather information about the deceased. The tools process data from letters, emails, chats, and text messages or ask questions to build a simulated personality. These chatbots mimic the texting style of the person, while some companies now offer video interactions.  For instance, StoryFile,...

  Bitcoin’s Path to $1 Million: Closer Than You Think When you hear bold forecasts about Bitcoin being worth a million dollars, it may sound overly optimistic, even bordering on foolishness. Experts like Robert Kiyosaki often make such predictions, and it’s easy to be skeptical in these cases. His forecasts are often controversial and highly speculative. Besides, as the author of commercial books, he has a vested interest in creating hype around his name to boost sales. The more absurd his statements sound, the better the sales results. Consequently, such predictions can’t be fully trusted. However, more and more highly-qualified experts are beginning to make similar claims. Is there a grain of truth in them? While the forecast about Bitcoin reaching the million-dollar milestone seems far-fetched, let’s examine this projection more closely. What if it’s not as unrealistic as it seems?  We need to look at the history of Bitcoin to understand this. A closer study reveals that th...