Things We're Reading – Week of May 25, 2026

On May 18, 2026, Bitcoin experienced a 4.14% increase, reaching $66,627, driven by a broad market upswing and improved investor sentiment.

Between May 18 and May 22, 2026, Bitcoin and Ethereum ETFs saw outflows of approximately $1.26 billion and $216 million, respectively, amid geopolitical tensions and inflation concerns.

White House advisor Patrick Witt indicated that a major update on the U.S. Strategic Bitcoin Reserve is expected in the coming weeks, highlighting potential government moves in cryptocurrency holdings.

On May 25, 2026, Pope Leo XIV, alongside Anthropic co-founder Christopher Olah, presented 'Magnifica Humanitas,' focusing on protecting human dignity in the age of artificial intelligence.

During Google I/O 2026, held from May 19–20, Google introduced Gemini Spark, a 24/7 personal AI agent, and showcased Android XR smart glasses developed in collaboration with Samsung.

Anthropic is reportedly closing a $30 billion funding round, potentially valuing the company at over $900 billion, surpassing OpenAI's valuation for the first time.

Apple has scheduled its Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) 2026 for June 8–12, aiming to showcase upcoming updates across its platforms in response to recent tech advancements.

The SAE World Congress 2026 featured a panel on 'Embodied AI in Action,' emphasizing the need for safety, trust, and governance in deploying AI systems in real-world applications.

NASA is testing a next-generation AI-enabled space computer chip designed to allow spacecraft to operate more independently in deep space missions.

Researchers have developed a quantum-inspired algorithm capable of simulating complex quantum materials known as quasicrystals, potentially revolutionizing materials science.