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BOSTON DYNAMICS TEAMS WITH TRI TO BRING AI SMARTS TO ATLAS HUMANOID ROBOT

Boston Dynamics and Toyota Research Institute are collaborating to integrate AI and large behavior models into the electric Atlas humanoid robot.

GENERATIVE AI HELPING DOCTORS EASE THEIR PAPERWORK

Doctors and nurses spend nearly 28 hours a week on administrative tasks.

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VANECK ADDS STAKING REWARDS TO SOLANA INVESTMENT PRODUCT IN EUROPE

VanEck has improved its Solana ETN in Europe to offer investors staking rewards that are reinvested daily, providing a new form of passive income. However, in the U.S., regulatory constraints prevent such offerings in crypto ETFs, although approval is anticipated as inevitable and potentially influenced by the upcoming presidential election. The overall development highlights the differing regulatory approaches between the EU and the U.S., with asset managers like VanEck awaiting U.S. approval for similar products amidst growing interest in Solana-based investments.

BITCOIN HASHRATE HITS ALL-TIME HIGH AS PUBLICLY-LISTED MINERS' SHARE OF THE NETWORK PEAKS

Bitcoin's hash rate has reached a new all-time high of 703 EH/s, a 13% increase since the April 2024 halving. Publicly listed mining companies control 28.9% of the total hash rate. With BTC's price appreciation and increased transaction fees from Runes, mining profitability has increased, with the hash price reaching $50 per PH/s. The growing computational power will result in an approximately 4% difficulty increase on October 23.

NODEKIT AND THE NEW SUPERBUILDERS PARADIGM

Nodekit is a new solution to the L2 user and liquidity fragmentation problem. Its Javelin product constructs blocks for multiple chains simultaneously, unifying liquidity and eliminating the need for bridging. Nodekit could also facilitate complex cross-chain interactions, chain abstractions, and multi-chain apps. It will compete with the Agglayer and Superchain interoperability solutions.

INTRODUCING SCROLL'S FIRST AIRDROP: A CELEBRATION OF THE GLOBAL COMMUNITY

Scroll is launching its first airdrop, distributing 7% of its tokens to reward contributors who have supported its growth across various categories (e.g., on-chain participants, ecosystem project builders, industry contributors, and global community members). This initiative aims to build a decentralized and worldwide ecosystem by recognizing and incentivizing participation in Scroll's protocol and community.

PHANTOM TOKENOMICS, INSIDE THE OBSCURE DAEDALUS LABYRINTH

This post exposes the prevalence of hidden “backdoor token deals” in the crypto industry. It introduces the concept of “phantom tokenomics” to describe how onchain tokenomics often misrepresent the accurate offchain distribution. There are various types of these deals, including advisory allocations, market-making allocations, and OTC rounds, all of which can alter the real tokenomics of a project. Founders should enhance transparency with onchain vesting contracts, locking insiders' staking rewards, and focus on product development over exchange listings.

20 LESSONS FOR CRYPTO FOUNDERS

This article outlines the critical keys to crypto startup success. It emphasizes the importance of starting with a small, specific problem and building for a core group of passionate users. Rapid product development and iteration should be based on constant user feedback, with a focus on launching MVPs quickly and engaging with early adopters. Be persistent in user acquisition and celebrate small wins to maintain momentum.

BUILDING A BIGGER, BETTER BRIDGE

Stripe is acquiring Bridge to accelerate stablecoins' global adoption and utility. The company aims to make money easier to move, store, and spend worldwide. Both companies share a vision of transforming global finance through stablecoin infrastructure, and together, they plan to solve bigger problems and support more developers, consumers, and businesses worldwide.

AVAX VALUE CAPTURE PROBLEM

Even with the Off the Grid game reaching hundreds of thousands of users, Avalanche struggles to capture value from its pay-as-you-go for L1 offerings. This model makes Avalanche attractive for new L1 deployments, particularly in gaming and institutional sectors. However, this comes at the cost of reduced revenue capture, especially as the main C-Chain activity has declined. The pivot to becoming a hub for L1s, while compelling for demand, compromises long-term value accrual.

CHAINLINK PARTNERS WITH MAJOR FINANCIAL PLAYERS TO IMPROVE CORPORATE ACTIONS DATA REPORTING USING AI AND BLOCKCHAIN

Chainlink, Swift, Euroclear, and Franklin Templeton are creating a standard for corporate data like mergers and dividends.

BUILDING FOR WEB2

A crypto virtual machine will never be capable of feature parity with Web2 applications.

CRYPTO X AI PROJECTS DISCUSSED BY SF-BASED ML ENGINEERS

This tweet shares five companies in the intersection of crypto and AI actually talked about by people in the AI industry.

TRANSAK HIT BY DATA BREACH, 92K USERS EXPOSED

Transak, a popular fiat-to-crypto onramping service, recently disclosed a data breach that compromised ~92k users.

THE KLEENEX REBRAND FEELS LIKE IT'S ALWAYS BEEN THERE

Kleenex is celebrating its 100th anniversary by partnering with Turner Duckworth to reinvent its identity. The redesign aims to futureproof the brand and create cohesion amidst its different market variations. The new logo maintains soft curves to reflect the product's gentle nature, featuring a crown design that positions Kleenex as a leader in its category. This rebranding marks a significant update from previous iterations, including the iconic 1961 design by Saul Bass.

AMAZON ADS LAUNCHES NEW AI TOOLS FOR ADVERTISERS—HERE'S YOUR FIRST LOOK AT THE BETA

Amazon has recently introduced AI Creative Studio and Audio Generator, two AI tools that aim to help advertisers create engaging, dynamic content. These tools lower creative barriers by offering image, video, and audio generation capabilities, enabling advertisers to produce high-quality ads quickly. Both tools are currently available in beta for U.S. advertisers.

MIDJOURNEY PLANS TO LET ANYONE ON THE WEB EDIT IMAGES WITH AI

Midjourney is set to release an upgraded web tool early next week that allows users to edit and retexture uploaded images using its generative AI. Initially, access will be limited to a subset of the community, with increased human and AI moderation to address potential misuse risks such as copyright infringement and deepfake creation. Due to previous challenges regarding AI deployment, Midjourney is attempting to enhance responsibility by seeking community feedback and implementing political filters ahead of key events.

WHY YOU SHOULDN'T BE TOO EAGER TO SHARE YOUR WORK

YES, DESIGN CAN SAVE YOU MILLIONS

Poor design in critical systems can cause costly errors and is often undervalued in complex systems like FinTech. The "canvas-based node system" offers a more interactive approach to payment routing, simplifying decision-making and reducing errors compared to traditional static methods.

TIME FOR A MORE PROGRESSIVE DESIGN MODEL

The Agile methodology, which emphasizes outcomes and rapid innovation, has replaced the Waterfall model. Designer-developer handoffs need to be more efficient. The Progressive Design Model (PDM) streamlines the design process by integrating code-based deliverables and aligning with Agile principles, emphasizing iteration, precise planning, and AI tools.

APPLE DESIGN RESOURCES

Design apps on Apple platforms quickly and accurately using Figma, Sketch, Photoshop design kits, guides, and other resources.

COLOR THIEF

Grab the color palette from an image using just JavaScript.

A COMPREHENSIVE GRID SYSTEM ANCHORS FABLE&CO'S REBRAND OF THE UNIVERSITY OF LEEDS' SCHOOL OF DESIGN

Fable&Co has rebranded the University of Leeds' School of Design to attract diverse students, faculty, and industry partners with a visual identity blending creativity and precision. The new design features a grid system, an interlacing geometric emblem, a modern wordmark, and a restrained color palette, all reflecting the school's legacy and forward-thinking approach.

HOW I ORGANIZE VARIABLES IN FIGMA

Figma variables allow designers to create, store, and reuse values like color, number, boolean, and string types. This article explores how to organize variables through collections and groups, offering tips for creating semantic and component-specific variables. Strategies for managing variables in design systems include separating primitives from semantic values and restricting access to streamline workflows.

WHAT IS A DESIGN PROBLEM? HOW TO AVOID BAD ONES

SOFT AND PLAYFUL BRANDING AND VISUAL IDENTITY FOR PUFFYSOFT

PuffySoft's visual identity, designed by OLaF CW, features rounded typography, pastel colors, and AI-generated imagery for a playful, calming, and cohesive brand experience.

HILARIOUS TIKTOK TREND POKES FUN AT IPHONE DESIGNERS

The iPhone 16 launch has sparked criticism on TikTok, with users mocking Apple's repetitive design choices.

WHERE'S THE BEST PLACE TO WORK AS A CREATIVE: AGENCY, IN-HOUSE OR FREELANCE?

Choosing between agency, in-house, or freelance design depends on your goals, working style, and career stage.

Read the full case study and Dan's testimonial →

HOW AI AND INFLUENCER MARKETING ARE TRANSFORMING AUDIO INTO THE MOST EFFECTIVE AD MEDIUM

Brands are using audio ads to increase recall and purchase intent by tapping into emotional resonance. The creator economy is also transforming audio advertising, with brands partnering with trusted podcast hosts and niche creators to engage deeply with targeted audiences. AI is enhancing this by enabling hyper-personalized ads that align with individual listener preferences. Podcasts, now mainstream, allow advertisers to reach both broad and niche audiences with precision through a tiered ad-buying approach.

END OF WORD-OF-MOUTH ADVERTISING?

41% of Gen Z trust influencer recommendations over traditional ads, while 46% of Millennials prefer ads from businesses. In purchasing decisions based on social media posts, 57% of Gen Z is likely to buy from influencers, followed by 54% from businesses and 49% from ads, with friends' posts ranking lowest at 40%. Millennials, on the other hand, favor posts from businesses (57%) and ads (51%) over influencers (44%) and friends (48%).

3 COMPANIES THAT NAILED THEIR GO-TO-MARKET STRATEGY IN ONE SLIDE

Alida, Bazaarvoice, and Overhaul successfully applied an 8-question framework to craft their GTM strategies in a single slide. Overhaul tied the customer journey directly to revenue for sustainable growth, while Bazaarvoice coordinated multiple GTM motions to create cohesive campaigns. Alida fostered cross-functional collaboration by breaking down silos between departments, ensuring alignment across its GTM efforts.

18 GREAT POSITIONING STATEMENT EXAMPLES + HOW TO WRITE ONE

Positioning statements require identifying your target audience, the problem you solve, and the unique value you offer. Consider your market category, key competitors, and how you stand out. For example, Zoom supports seamless communication for remote teams, while Shutterfly provides personalized photo gifts. Use templates like ‘problem-solution' or ‘market leadership' to shape your statement for product launches or ad campaigns. Keep it concise, authentic, and audience-focused. Test and refine to ensure it aligns with your brand's strengths.

8 PR REPORT EXAMPLES & TEMPLATES TO BOOKMARK FOR INSPIRATION

PR reports focus on presenting the impact of campaigns in a clear, concise manner, tailored to the audience's needs. Senior stakeholders prefer high-level summaries with key metrics and ROI, while internal teams benefit from more granular, ongoing reports. PR reports should include clear goals, relevant metrics, and a simple structure that outlines wins, expectations vs. reality, and next steps. This article includes 5 report examples and 3 templates you can copy and paste.

URL SLUGS & WHY THEY MATTER FOR SEO

A well-optimized URL slug can improve CTRs by providing users with clear expectations of a page's content. Though keywords in slugs are a minor ranking factor, they enhance user experience, indirectly benefiting SEO performance. Clean, concise slugs also make content easier to share, remember, and navigate.

FAREWELL, SITELINKS SEARCH BOX

Google is removing the sitelinks search box from search results on November 21 due to declining use of the feature.

THE DANGERS OF MARKETING ORTHODOXY AND HOW TO BREAK THE CYCLE

Relying heavily on past strategies stifles innovation, while bold, unorthodox ideas capture attention. Examples like CeraVe's “Michael CeraVe” campaign and Coca-Cola's “Recycle Me” initiative show how breaking rules or rethinking brand values can drive success. By taking risks and leveraging social media insights, marketers can create campaigns that engage audiences in unexpected ways.

HOW TO PRIORITIZE MARKETING ACTIVITIES & AVOID RANDOM ACTS OF MARKETING

To avoid random acts of marketing (RAM), categorize tasks and initiatives based on their strategic importance, effort, and impact. Ensure a balance between short-term and long-term goals. Create a Marketing Decision Dashboard to track key inputs and use it to prioritize tasks across categories such as "big-bet projects," "core work," and "ops." Regularly update your priorities to align with business goals, and cut less impactful tasks.

DON'T INVEST IN DARK MODE

50% of the top 100 App Store apps offer both light and dark modes, with 12% requiring users to enable dark mode through settings.

10 CREATIVE ADS I'VE COLLECTED THIS WEEK

A collection of ads from brands like Ziploc, Doordash, and Kraft.

9 WAYS TO REPEAT YOUR MARKETING MESSAGE WITHOUT GETTING BORING

To avoid message fatigue, vary your tone and style, focus on different benefit angles, highlight new use cases, and experiment with messaging lengths.

Try Height today for free →

CUSTOMIZATION DEBT

Customization debt is a subtle but significant issue in B2B software companies where meeting large customers' special demands for unique features leads to long-term maintenance burdens on product and engineering teams. These "specials" offer short-term revenue gains but accumulate hidden costs, disrupting future development, support, and scalability, while often going unaddressed due to pressure to close major deals.

KEY TAKEAWAYS FROM AN EDTECH'S ORGANIZATIONAL REDESIGN

After an EdTech company acquired a competitor, Jenny Wanger led a collaborative organizational redesign to address scattered product management roles and improve cross-functional workflows. By consolidating roles, streamlining communication, and implementing support structures like training and documentation, the team became more empowered and better equipped to meet their ambitious product launch goals.

LEVERAGING OPINIONATED DEFAULTS TO POWER GROWTH

As product builders, we act as choice architects by establishing defaults — predefined options for users. Leveraging opinionated defaults means guiding users toward a recommended course of action, similar to an executive summary that highlights the most important information. While users can benefit from following these defaults, power users have the option to explore details and customize beyond the predefined choices.