From Cointelegraph · By Andrew Fenton
CHINA
Treasury proposes blocks on US investments in AI and semiconductors in some foreign countries
The US Treasury has proposed new rules that would block investment in artificial intelligence projects (sorry, ‘Super Intelligence’ projects) and certain high risk semiconductors in some foreign countries.
The blocks have been mainly aimed at geopolitical rival China, but will now also encompass other adversaries including Russia, Iran, North Korea and Cuba. The rules would implement the COINS Act from December 2025 and expand the Outbound Investment Security Program that went into effect in January 2025.
They rules build on previous restrictions on selling high powered AI chips to China. The US is backing up its threats too, having announced the first $200,000 penalty this month to Amidi, LLC. Treasury for failing to report an investment by its Chinese subsidiary into embodied AI and robotics company Shanghai Qiongche Intelligent Technology (AKA Noematrix.)
US bans DeepSeek from civilian agency IT systems
The US Department of Homeland Security has ordered the removal of DeepSeek products from federal civilian agency IT systems.
The order, filed on Monday, also covers DeepSeek affiliates and third-party products and services developed using DeepSeek implementations while prohibiting affected agencies from making new purchases.
DHS warned that use of DeepSeek by government employees and contractors could expose sensitive information to China, potentially revealing details about US citizens and federal programs.
Solana’s Liu says Shanghai event postponed over registration surge
The Solana Accelerate event in Shanghai was postponed after pre-registration exceeded the event cap set by local authorities, according to Lily Liu, president of the Solana Foundation.
Event registration quadrupled overnight following publicity for the event, Liu wrote in a Friday X post, adding that organizers decided to postpone the event to “comply with local requirements.”
Earlier on Friday, X users claimed that the event was “abruptly suspended” as law enforcement officers were stationed at the venue.
Binance founder Changpeng Zhao posted he was impressed the Solana Foundation had been allowed to open a Shanghai office, noting than BNB Chain had been unable to do so.
JAPAN
Japan-Korea tourist spending becomes a test case for yen stablecoins
South Korea’s Shinhan Card has signed an agreement with Japan’s SBI VC Trade and SBI XDC Network APAC to test yen stablecoin payments for travelers and cross-border trade settlement.
Under the pact signed Tuesday, the companies will test stablecoin card payments, wallet-to-wallet payments and cross-border trade settlement. They will also assess anti-money-laundering and fraud-detection controls.