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Today’s Menu

• Google Launches AI That Handles Your Shopping Calls

• Traditional Finance Underperforms—Crypto Apps See Opening

Markets

TODAY IN AI

Google Launches AI That Handles Your Shopping Calls

OpenAI just launched GPT-5.1, and this isn't your typical speed-and-accuracy upgrade. This time, they rewired how ChatGPT talks to you.

The update splits into two models: Instant handles everyday tasks with a warmer, more intelligent conversational style that actually follows instructions. Thinking tackles complex reasoning—now faster, clearer, and more persistent when solving hard problems.

But the real shift? Improved tone customization. ChatGPT can now adapt its personality to match your needs, whether you want clinical precision or casual conversation.

This rollout starts with paid users first, signaling OpenAI's push to make AI feel less robotic and more like talking to someone who actually gets context. The gap between "AI assistant" and "AI coworker" just narrowed significantly.

TODAY IN CRYPTO

Traditional Finance Underperforms—Crypto Apps See Opening

Traditional finance has underperformed the S&P 500 for five consecutive years. The sector accounts for 13% of the index with roughly $14.2 trillion in market cap, but banks remain slow to adapt, charge high fees, and deliver limited innovation.

Earlier fintech companies like PayPal, Venmo, and Stripe brought improvements, but they still operated on traditional financial infrastructure and regulatory frameworks. Real disruption was limited as U.S. regulators focused on protecting established institutions.

That dynamic is shifting. Regulators are becoming more open to innovation, creating space for blockchain-based applications to enter the market. These apps aren't just competing—they're targeting the core functions legacy players have dominated for decades.

The opportunity extends beyond the current $14 trillion market. With 1.7 billion people globally still lacking access to banking services, next-generation finance apps are positioning to serve a much larger audience.

Terms like "neobanks" and "superapps" reflect the scale of interest. Companies that successfully combine accessibility, low costs, and global reach could capture significant market share from traditional institutions.

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Until next time,

Damon James